Walmart will now include Atlanta-based Emory University Orthopaedics & Spine Hospital and Emory Orthopaedics & Spine Center in its national spine surgery and joint replacement centers of excellence programs.
Here are five things to know.
1. The COE programs are designed for Walmart associates needing spine or joint care across the nation. These centers receive a fixed bundled payment for specific procedures.
2. These Walmart employees will not pay out-of-pocket costs for specific spine or joint replacement surgeries at Emory University Orthopaedics & Spine Hospital and Emory Orthopaedics or Emory Orthopaedics & Spine Center.
3. The two organizations also unveiled a new accountable care plan for Walmart employees.
4. The ACP allows employees at 55 Walmart, Sam's Club and Walmart Distribution Center locations in Atlanta to use Emory Accountable Care Plan as their primary plan. Patients pay standard co-pays for primary care, specialist and urgent care appointments and can access COE programs.
5. The Emory Healthcare Network includes 2,000-plus physicians in the metro-Atlanta region.