Page 30 - Hoag Orthopedic Institute 2012 Outcomes Report

“THE BUNDLED PAYMENT TRAVEL PROGRAM HAS GROWN FROM ITS START AT OSCOC TO HOI AND WORKS BECAUSE OF THE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP’S ATTENTION TO DETAIL TO IMPROVE OVERALL OUTCOMES AND MAINTAIN COSTS TO CREATE A PATIENT EXPERIENCE SECOND TO NONE.”
JAMES T. CAILLOUETTE, MD, SURGEON-IN-CHIEF
DISTINCTIONS & INNOVATIONS CONTINUED
Belimed instrument washers help conserve
water. The autoclave/sterilizer system has better processing times, which allows for quicker turn around of trays. The cooling down and drying system prior to completion of the loads helps reduce cooling times and prevent the problem of “wet trays” post load (condensation in the trays) that can occur during the cooling cycle. The autoclaves are designed to take up to 30 percent more trays than traditional models. Its water chiller system facilitates using less water by as much as 90 percent (from up to 250 gallons/load to 2.5 gallons/load) by reusing condensate that is produced during the cycle and using that for the remainder of the cycle for steam and heat production.
TRAVEL PROGRAM FOR OUT-OF-AREA PATIENTS
A Travel Program begun at HOI in 2011 streamlines access to knee and hip replacements and spine procedures. To date, patients from as far as Alaska, Washington, Florida and Illinois have utilized this increasingly popular program.
HOI’s Travel Program affords employers and third party payers access to care through HOI’s existing fee-for-service contracts with the major payers or a bundled, global rate that includes all providers’ services related to the procedure. It starts the day of surgery and includes post- operative rehabilitation. Reduced rates for local accommodations have been negotiated as well.
The Travel Program is attractive to patients and payers for several reasons:
• The Travel Program benefits patients from areas lacking in proven-quality providers with extensive experience in orthopedic care.
• Given that higher costs ultimately result from lower quality care, travel to a high-quality provider such as HOI Travel Program assures value.
• One bill, one check: The bundled rate covering all provider fees is easy for payers to manage. In rare instances if care is required outside of the diagnostic pathway, additional charges may apply. Knowing up front the total cost of care simplifies administrative claim work while providing cost controls.
• Because HOI contracts with all major payers, many out-of area employers can often negotiate with their insurance providers to opt to send orthopedic patients to HOI. Research demonstrates that employers are willing to adopt tactics to help improve health care while managing healthcare costs, including providing richer benefits to increase use of designated facilities, narrowing networks to feature cost- effective providers.
As a Blue Distinction Center® for Specialty Care, HOI is recognized for quality orthopedic care and among a select number of facilities nationwide approved by Blue Cross and Blue Shield to receive joint replacement Travel patients. Through the medical tourism company Healthbase, men and women from across the country insured by Blue Cross and Blue Shield receive help with travel and medical arrangements for care at HOI. Healthbase contacts HOI whenever someone who may require surgery is interested in coming to the institute. Travel expenses are reimbursed for the patient and caregiver. Covered expenses include mileage or airline tickets.
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