PepsiCo Tries Medical Tourism
Employees of PepsiCo, the world’s second-largest food and beverage business, now have the option to travel to Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore for cardiac and complex joint replacement surgeries. The travel surgery benefit has been extended to PepsiCo’s domestic employees and their dependents – almost 250,000 people.
PepsiCo, which sponsors its own self-funded medical plans, will waive deductibles and co-insurance for those who elect to have their surgery at Johns Hopkins. The company will also cover the travel and lodging expenses to Baltimore for the patient and a companion.
Hopkins is offering the procedures in a “bundled” rate, an all-inclusive rate for hospital and physician charges and certain preoperative testing.
From Hopkins Medicine (Winter 2012 issue).
I’m surprised that more companies don’t do something like this. Hopefully, this is the first step to selective contracting with low-cost, high-quality providers.
Great way to keep their employees loyal to the company!
It also serves as an incentive for employees to do good and stay motivated in order for them to keep their respective positions within the company and enjoy these kind of benefits.
I agree with Devon in that more companies should do the same as PepsiCo…especially because everyone wins!
I wonder if J-H gets a special rate at a local hotel for its patients, and a discount airfare.