raising the deductibles, haven’t worked so
companies are focusing more on how people
use the health care system.
That can mean offering coverage that steers
patients away from expensive hospitals for
routine imaging exams or pushes them toward
doctors that are considered higher quality.
Walmart had already seen positive results
through its so-called Centers of Excellence
Program, which began six years ago and
involves flying employees with serious
conditions to out-of-state hospitals with highly-
ranked doctors in a bid to cut health care costs.
It found that half of its workers participating in
the program who were initially diagnosed as
needing a spine surgery ultimately did not. And
once they were given a different treatment plan,
they recovered quickly and avoided a surgery
they didn’t need.
“Employers ultimately want people to get the
right care in the right setting,” said Paul Fronstin,
an economist with the Employee Benefit
Research Institute. “Their concern is waste,
paying for things people don’t need and paying
for care that is potentially harmful. They want
people to be healthy, they want them to be
productive and at work.”
As part of the pilot program, Walmart is
expanding its telehealth program where
workers get diagnosed with a live doctor via
video. Currently, Walmart offers basic telehealth
to nearly everyone on its medical plans
for minor medical issues like a sore throat.
However, as of Jan. 1, workers in Colorado,
Minnesota and Wisconsin can opt to access a
personal online doctor and a team to manage
chronic conditions like diabetes as well as
preventative care.
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