Walmart has contracted with University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center for a bundled payment program for joint replacement procedures and orthopedic care for Walmart employees and their families.
Under the agreement, Walmart health plan enrollees will receive 100 percent coverage for joint replacement surgery at UH Cleveland Medical Center, along with any travel or lodging costs.
"The partnership between UH and Walmart focuses on quality care and value for the patient," said UH CEO Tom Zenty in a press release. "I applaud Walmart for giving its employees access to the very best care while keeping affordability in mind."
UH Cleveland Medical Center will review patients' medical records, use a team approach to develop a treatment plan, provide patient and caregiver education on treatment expectations, manage patients' transition home and collaborate with local physicians.
Self-insured companies are increasingly contracting directly with providers for specialty care and treatment to trim costs and help improve outcomes. In addition to UH Medical Center, Walmart has 10 other joint replacement Centers of Excellence across the nation, according to Crain's Cleveland Business.
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