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Patients in front of Cleveland Clinic's Miller Family Pavilion

Boeing Centers of Excellence Program

Call: 866.261.7126

As a Boeing employee, you have the option to receive high-quality care from the nurses and clinicians at Cleveland Clinic, recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care.

After meeting the program's clinical and eligibility requirements, the Boeing Cleveland Clinic Centers of Excellence Program includes:

  • 100 percent coverage for the cardiac procedure or surgery*
  • Covered travel and lodging expenses for the patient and a companion
  • Coordination of travel, appointments and follow-up care

*Some employees may need to pay their medical plan's deductible first.

A Lifesaving Journey

Billy faced a critical need for an aortic valve replacement surgery. See how the collaboration between Boeing and the Cleveland Clinic Centers of Excellence transformed his life with a valve repair surgery. Watch his inspiring story now.

How it Works

  1. Connect
    Patient is diagnosed with a condition and calls the Boeing Cleveland Clinic Centers of Excellence Program to confirm benefit eligibility.
  2. Review
    Medical records reviewed by Cleveland Clinic to ensure appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan.
  3. Schedule
    Approved patient is scheduled for surgery.
  4. Treat
    Patient and companion travel to Cleveland for pre-treatment appointments, educational session and treatment.
  5. Coordinate
    Cleveland Clinic follows up by phone at 7, 14 and 30 days post-discharge. Patient follows up with home physician per the discharge plan.
  6. Complete
    Patient is ready to go back to work and an improved quality of life.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Treatment and medications while the patient is at Cleveland Clinic
    (Non-medical convenience items are not covered.)
  • Travel and lodging for patient and companion
  • Coordination of travel, appointments and follow-up care

All active employees, early retirees, and their eligible dependents whose benefits are administered through the Boeing Service Center for Health and Insurance Plans and meet the criteria below:

  • Enrolled in any of the following Boeing-sponsored medical plans:
    • A Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois medical plan
    • Cigna HMO — AZ
    • Aetna HMO
    • Banner | Aetna HMO
  • In one of the following groups (excludes employees of Boeing subsidiaries that sponsor their own health plans):
    • Nonunion employees
    • Union-represented employees of IAM 751, 24, and 70, CMM&IC 721, IUOE 302PP, IUOE 302W, IUOE 501W, IAM 725, IAM 2766, Montana Aviation, SPEEA, SPFPA 2, SPFPA 5, SPIU, UAW 1069, IAFF I-17, IAFF I-66, SPFPA Local 507, IBEW 1, IBT 6, IBT 610, BNA Union, SDC Union, UAW Locals 952, SPEEA WTPU, IAM District, Lodge 70, Local 839, IBEW Local 271, SPEEA WEU.
    • The patient has seen a local physician for a heart-related condition, and has been recommended for a covered program procedure.
    • The patient meets clinical requirements evaluated by Cleveland Clinic surgeons through a second opinion.
      (Cleveland Clinic assists with obtaining medical records for the second opinion.)
    • The member’s local physician agrees to assume care for the member upon returning home.

Some employees may need to pay their medical plan's deductible first.

Not at all. This benefit ultimately is a partnership involving three parties: You, Cleveland Clinic and your hometown doctor. We stay connected with your doctor at home before and after surgery, and you'll continue post-surgical care at home under his or her direction. Do not feel bad about seeking a second (or third) medical opinion — and understand that your doctor wants you to do the same as they would do for their own health. Cleveland Clinic has the country's leading heart center, and choosing to receive a procedure/treatment here is a health decision that your doctor will respect.

Cleveland Clinic collaborates with hometown doctors pre- and post-surgery, so your hometown doctor is always informed about your care. It's always the patient's choice to decide how to proceed based on information provided by the Cleveland Clinic physician.

Before you leave Cleveland, the Cleveland Clinic team schedules your follow up appointment with your hometown physician. The Cleveland Clinic care team is also available for questions any time after you return home. Additionally, Cleveland Clinic caregivers will check in on your progress at 7, 14 and 30 days post-surgery.

Meet Our Patient Navigator

Brina Byrd meets our traveling heart patients before they even arrive in Cleveland. She is the main contact for patients and their families throughout their experience at Cleveland Clinic and maintains a relationship after they return home. Patients look forward to receiving their call from Brina on the one year anniversary of their surgery.