                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1
                                                                    ------------

NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
=====================


                    BOSTON SCIENTIFIC ANNOUNCES ENHANCEMENTS
                        TO U.S. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLAN


            COMPANY TO PROVIDE ONE-TIME SUPPLEMENT TO 401(k) ACCOUNTS
                 AND INCREASE LEVEL OF ITS MATCHING CONTRIBUTION



Natick, MA (September 28, 2004) -- Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX)
today announced that it will make a special one-time contribution to the
Company's U.S. 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan. All eligible employees will
receive the supplement, which will be apportioned based on pay and years of
service. Boston Scientific also announced that beginning in January 2005, the
Company will increase the amount it matches when employees make a pre-tax
contribution to the 401(k) plan, from four percent to six percent of pay.

"We are very pleased to be in a position to enhance our 401(k) plan, which is
the primary vehicle used by U.S. employees to save for retirement," said Jim
Tobin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boston Scientific. "We view
retirement savings as a partnership between employees and the Company. The
supplement and increased contribution announced today, as well as earlier
increases in the Company's matching contribution, will help our employees and
their families plan for the future."

Employees will receive their share of the special contribution in their 401(k)
accounts during the second quarter of 2005. The Company anticipates that the
retirement supplement will result in a charge to earnings for the third quarter
of approximately $110 million.

Boston Scientific is a worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical
devices whose products are used in a broad range of interventional medical
specialties. For more information, please visit: www.bostonscientific.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. The Company wishes to
caution the reader of this press release that actual results may differ from
those discussed in the forward-looking statements and may be adversely affected
by, among other things, risks associated with the Company's overall business
strategy and other factors described in the Company's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

CONTACT:     Milan Kofol                           Paul Donovan
             508-650-8569 (Office)                 508-650-8541 (Office)
             617-834-8595 (Mobile)                 508-667-5165 (Mobile)
             Investor Relations                    Media Relations

