F
rom surgery through recovery, Medicare's new bundled payment
model is designed to hold facilities accountable for the care they
deliver to Medicare beneficiaries undergoing hip or knee
replacements and other procedures of the lower extremities. The model
will officially launch on April 1 in 67 geographical areas across the coun-
try and be applicable to all acute care hospitals in the designated
regions. The aim of the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement
(CJR) program is to create a system that provides better patient care
and spends healthcare dollars more wisely. Sounds nice. Too bad it
won't do nearly enough to meet those goals.
4 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6
On Point
Francois de Brantes, MS, MBA
CMS's Bundled Payments Offer False Hope
Medicare's laudable efforts to control expenses won't do nearly enough.
• DRILLING DOWN Hard data will show where total joints are performed economically and safely.
