World class, total joint care available through partnership with Franciscan Health

In June 2020, Purdue announced its partnership with Franciscan Health as the provider of choice for hip and knee joint replacements, two of the fastest-growing and expensive medical procedures in the U.S.

Patient feedback 

Juanita Crider, program advisor at the Black Cultural Center, said she learned about the program via Purdue Today, and as a person who knew a knee replacement was in her future, she made the call to get more information after reading the article in Purdue Today.

“My experience was wonderful,” Crider shared. “I highly recommend the program because of the excellence of the staff on both ends – Purdue staff that you talk to in order to get things going and also the Franciscan staff. I especially loved my surgeon, Dr. Timothy Williams, and his entire staff.”

Due to COVID concerns, Crider did not want to go to a rehabilitation center but was able to stay with a friend in Muncie, IN, and the Franciscan staff were able to arrange for home physical therapy visits at her friend’s house.

“The most impactful part of the program are the incentives – the gas card, payment for two nights in a hotel and the $500 stipend,” she added. “The stipend was very helpful in covering some expenses left after insurance paid its portion.”

Kristine Hoggatt, data analyst at the Center for Career Opportunities, also read about the program in Purdue Today. She bookmarked the article for future reference as she was aware that she needed a knee replacement.

“I read in the Purdue Today article that there was a wide range of pricing for this type of surgery, and Purdue was trying to rein in insurance costs by partnering with the Franciscan Joint Replacement Clinic,” Hoggatt explained. “I believe in being a good steward of healthcare costs and this seemed like a practical way to do that.  After researching the organization and finding they were rated No. 1 in Indiana and in the top 10 nationally, my decision was made. I had been putting off knee replacement out of fear that something would go wrong – which can always happen; however, the state and national ratings gave me more confidence in having the procedure.”

According to Hoggatt, the most impactful part of the program for her was the ease of the entire process. She shared that she never felt like she didn’t know what was going to happen, who she should contact with questions, when/if/how she should be preparing for the procedure or what she should do afterward.

“I was well informed every step of the way by both the Franciscan staff and the Purdue Benefits staff,” Hoggatt added. “The Purdue benefits staff got me all set up with FMLA and the compensation distribution. The Franciscan staff made all the appointments (with my input regarding convenient dates/times) and scheduled the physical therapist who came to my house after the surgery. I was impressed by how both organizations – Franciscan and Purdue – acted like well-oiled machines.”

Like Crider, Hoggatt said she would recommend the program to anyone in need of a joint replacement.

“I wish I hadn’t waited so long to have this surgery,” Hoggatt added. “I’m extremely glad Purdue set up this program and that I took advantage of it! If I had it to do over, I would definitely still go to the Franciscan Joint Replacement Clinic!”

Program need

Hip and knee replacements account for 25 percent of the musculoskeletal expenses for Purdue and its employees, in great part due to the high cost of health care in Indiana, which ranks among the highest in the country, according to the RAND report. Data analysis of Purdue claims shows knee replacement costs ranged from $21,000 to $67,000, and even more startling is the claims data for hip replacements, with prices ranging from $19,000 to $91,000.

Franciscan provides nationally recognized high-quality care, transparent pricing and a substantial reduction in costs. Franciscan Health Mooresville is ranked as the No. 1 hospital in Indiana for Medical Excellence in Joint Replacement and is ranked in the top 10 percent in the nation for Joint Replacement by CareChex. Franciscan Health Mooresville is home to the internationally known Center for Hip & Knee Surgery. The hospital network also has a Carmel location for joint replacement.

“As part of our ongoing efforts to improve overall health and wellness of the Purdue population this partnership helps us improve quality of care, manage premiums and counter the excessive cost of medical procedures in Indiana,” said Candace Shaffer, senior director of benefits in Human Resources. “The partnership aligns with our Healthy Boiler Program in support of the physical health and financial wellness pillars as it provides cost-controlled benefits and easily accessible resources, especially when you consider the incentive aspect of this program.”

Program incentives

As part of the new provider agreement, Purdue will provide additional financial assistance for all individuals covered on a Purdue health plan who have hip or knee replacements at Franciscan Health’s Mooresville or Carmel location. The University will arrange and fund travel and overnight accommodations for the member and a guest for surgery. Additionally, members will receive a cash payment of $500 once the replacement is completed. 

Questions

More information is available here.

General questions on the program should be directed to Human Resources at 765-494-2222, toll-free at 877-725-0222 or via email at hr@purdue.edu.

Once it is determined by the Franciscan Center for Hip & Knee Surgery that you will need a knee or hip replacement and surgery is scheduled, contact 765-494-2222 to make the arrangements for travel and lodging.