Health reform in a box

In a program that might be a first in the nation, Lowe’s has contracted with the Cleveland Clinic to perform major heart surgeries for any full-time employee or dependent enrolled in the company’s self-insured medical plan. Those needing the procedures will travel to Cleveland with a companion, and Lowe’s will cover all co-pays, deductibles and travel expenses. The program, initially reported by FoxNews.com, was the result of two and a half years of planning and discussions about ways to control rising healthcare costs.

Bob Ihrie, Lowe’s senior VP in charge of benefits, told Fox News that the home improvement retailer initially considered “medical tourism”—sending employees for treatment to U.S.-trained doctors overseas—but then decided to look closer to home. Lowe’s has negotiated a flat rate for various procedures with the Cleveland Clinic, which U.S. News and World Report has ranked first in the nation for cardiac care for the past 15 consecutive years.

The first employee to take advantage of the elective program, according to the Fox report, was Donald Roberts, a 64-year-old installed sales coordinator in Port Orange, Fla., who had an aneurysm repaired at the Cleveland Clinic in April. His normal out-of-pocket costs for the open-heart surgery would have been $5000, according to Lowe’s.

Based on prior insurance claims, the company estimated that 125 employees will be eligible for the procedure each year. Lowe’s and the Cleveland Clinic may consider expanding their partnership to include back and spine treatments, company officials said.