Christ Hospital has negotiated a contract with Custom Design Benefits, one of the largest employee benefit firms in Greater Cincinnati, and it could lower some surgical costs for dozens of local companies that self-fund health plans. The contract, which involves fixed prices for total hip or knee replacement surgery, also would eliminate co-payments and other costs usually incurred by employees and their covered dependents. "Employees are currently responsible for covering their portion of the cost of the procedure through co-pays, deductibles and coinsurance," said Julie Mueller, president of Green Township-based Custom Design Benefits. "We estimate that this amount could be between $1,500 and $2,500, and even higher for high-deductible health plans."
