On the heels of a two-year Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) cost analysis comes another study further supporting the cost-saving potential of bundled payments for joint replacement episodes.
According to the Journal of Arthroplasty, researchers studied 319 total hip arthroplasty and bilateral total knee arthroplasty patients, 239 of whom were in a bundled payment program. They found that the bundled payment group had reduced hospital costs ($21,251 vs. $18,783), post-acute care costs ($13,488 vs. $12,439) and overall 90-day episode of care costs ($39,733 vs. $34,305). In total, the bundled payment model saved, on average, $5,811 per patient.
“Our bundled payment program… was successful with reduction in 90-day episode-of-care costs without placing the patient at higher risk of readmission,” the researchers concluded.
Like these two studies, MedBen Analytics has seen first-hand the potential of bundled payments to reduce episode of care costs, for mandatory models like CJR as well as voluntary programs. Of course, when lowering costs it’s vital that quality of care not be sacrificed. That’s why our reporting platform gives providers the information necessary to uncover inefficiencies throughout the patient journey while maximizing value.
MedBen Analytics was created specifically to give providers the insights they need to improve performance. By organizing and interpreting Medicare data, our goal is to ensure your success with bundled payments… in service as well as in savings. If you ever have questions about how we can benefit your business, please call MedBen President & CEO Kurt Harden at 888-633-2364 or email kharden@medben.com.