Reducing Cost by Increasing the Quality of Employee Care

PBGH in partnership with eight large employers designed the Employers Centers of Excellence (ECEN) program to increase employees’ access to high-quality care for elective surgeries. ECEN began with hip and knee replacements and has since expanded to offer spine and bariatric procedures and certain oncology services.

Key program elements

• Selected and monitored high-quality centers and surgeries.
• Aligned incentives with providers through prospectively negotiated “bundles” and with patients via reduced or eliminated cost share.

Impact

Employers dramatically increased optimal patient outcomes and reduced variation in quality and cost. Results for Walmart: