Cincinnati-based Christ Hospital signed a contract with UnitedHealth Group's Optum to cover the full costs of employees' total hip and knee replacements and some spinal surgery, according to Cincinnati Business Courier.
Here are five highlights:
1. Employees with access to Optum's Center of Excellence network may be fully reimbursed if they undergo THR, TKR or spine surgery at Christ Hospital's Joint & Spine Center.
2. Nurse navigators will help insured employees and their dependents understand the joint and spine surgery options and set them up with physicians.
3. Additionally, some of Optum's clients are paying for travel and lodging for employees living more than 50 miles away from the hospital.
4. Earlier this month, Christ Hospital signed a similar contract with Mazak, a machine tool manufacturer. The agreement offers full reimbursement to local employees from Mazak who undergo TKR or THR at the hospital.
5. Christ Hospital also signed a similar deal with General Electric. However, this agreement includes patients from across the country, as GE pays for travel as well as surgery expenses.