Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1186182
20 POPULATION HEALTH 20 CEO/STRATEGY Sam's Club launches healthcare pilot program for members: 5 things to know By Ayla Ellison W almart's Sam's Club is teaming up with healthcare companies to offer members bundles of healthcare services ranging from $50 to $240 per year. Five things to know: 1. Sam's Club is partnering with Humana and other companies to offer members in Michigan, Pennsylvania and North Carolina discounts on healthcare services, including primary care and dental services. Depend- ing on the success of the pilot program, Sam's Club may expand the program, called Sam's Club Care Accelerator Together with Humana, to all members. 2. Beginning in early October, Sam's Club members in the test states can purchase one of four bundles. e bundles offer savings on several services, including unlimited telehealth for $1 per visit through on-de- mand primary care app 98point6. 3. Each bundle offers free prescriptions on five to 20 generic medications. e number of free generics available depends on the bundle selected. 4. e family bundle costs $240 per year and covers up to six family members. It in- cludes free preventive screenings, up to a 30 percent discount on chiropractic, massage therapy and acupuncture services, and a 10 percent discount on hearing aids. 5. Sam's Club announced the launch of the program a few days aer Walmart released a plan to build a healthcare workforce. Walmart's 1.5 million workers in the U.S. can apply for one of seven bachelor's degrees and two career diplomas in health-related fields through Live Better U, the company's education benefit program. Employees pay only $1 a day for the duration of their col- lege or career programs. n Mayo-Fairmont to cut 17 nursing positions By Kelly Gooch M ayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont, Minn., said it plans to cut 17 positions, effective Dec. 9, according to the Sentinel. A statement issued to the newspaper indicated the cuts will affect nursing staff in the hospital and progressive care unit at Mayo-Fairmont. The decision was made after "carefully assessing the need to align staffing levels with our average daily hospital census," Mayo said. "Staffing decisions are based on patient need and always meet regulatory staffing level requirements." In its statement, Mayo said part of its decision also involved moving progres- sive care unit beds to standard med/surg hospital beds, "as the majority of hospitalized patients can be cared for in med/surg." Mayo said it is trying to help affected workers find and apply for new jobs in the region and organization. n Texas health system to lay off 741 employees By Ayla Ellison S an Antonio-based Nix Health will lay off up to 741 employees when it clos- es a hospital and other healthcare facilities, according to the San Antonio Business Journal. The health system plans to close Nix Medical Center in San Antonio and its fa- cility in Alamo Heights, Texas. Los Angeles-based Prospect Medical Holdings, which owns Nix Health, has not provided a precise date the hospital will close. Nix Health also plans to close its specialty health and behavioral center in San Antonio and its home health division. The combined closures are expected to result in up to 741 layoffs, according to the San Antonio Business Journal, which cited Worker Adjustment and Re- training Act Notification Act notices filed with the state. n Michael Jordan opens medical clinic in North Carolina By Ayla Ellison B asketball legend Michael Jordan unveiled the first of two medical clin- ics funded by him and his family in Charlotte, N.C., Oct. 17, according to The Charlotte Observer. Mr. Jordan donated $7 million to Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Novant Health in 2017 to build the two clinics. The clinics, named in Mr. Jordan's honor, are expected to serve 35,000 underprivileged members of the community over five years. The centers will offer primary and behavioral health services as well as access to oral health practitioners, social workers and physical therapy. At the grand opening of the first clinic Oct. 17, Mr. Jordan said the donation is a way to make a difference in the Charlotte community that has supported him throughout his life. "I can never repay what you have given to me. But this is a start," he said, ac- cording to The Charlotte Observer. n