Cost Analysis of Medicare Patients with Varying Complexities Who Underwent Total Knee Arthroplasty

Author(s):  
Hiba K. Anis ◽  
Nipun Sodhi ◽  
Rushabh M. Vakharia ◽  
Giles R. Scuderi ◽  
Arthur L. Malkani ◽  
...  

AbstractThe effort to reduce overall healthcare costs may affect more complex patients, as their pre- and postoperative care can be substantially involved. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to use a large nationwide insurance database to compare (1) costs, (2) reimbursements, and (3) net losses of 90-day episodes of care (EOC) for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients according to Elixhauser's comorbidity index (ECI) scores. All TKAs performed between 2005 and 2014 in the Medicare Standard Analytic Files were extracted from the database and stratified based on ECI scores, ranging from 1 to 5. ECI 1 patients served as the control cohort, while ECI 2, 3, 4, and 5 patients were considered study cohorts. Each study cohort and control cohort were matched based on age and sex, resulting in a total of 715,398 patients included for analysis. Total EOC costs, reimbursements, and total net losses (defined as total EOC costs minus total EOC reimbursements) were compared between the cohorts. Overall, total EOC costs increased with ECI. For example, compared with the matched ECI 1 cohorts, the total EOC costs for ECI 5 patients ($56,589.19 vs. $51,747.54) were significantly greater (p < 0.01). Although reimbursements increased with increasing ECI, so did net losses. The net losses for ECI 5 patients were greater than that for ECI 1 patients ($42,309.39 vs. $40,007.82). The bundled payments for care improvement (BPCI) and comprehensive care for joint replacement (CJR) are alternative payment models that might de-incentivize treatment of more complex patients. Our study found that despite increasing reimbursements, overall costs, and therefore net losses, were greater for more complex patients with higher ECI scores.

2020 ◽  
Vol 102-B (6_Supple_A) ◽  
pp. 19-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Yayac ◽  
Nicholas Schiller ◽  
Matthew S. Austin ◽  
P. Maxwell Courtney

Aims The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of the removal of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) from the Medicare Inpatient Only (IPO) list on our Bundled Payments for Care Improvement (BPCI) Initiative in 2018. Methods We examined our institutional database to identify all Medicare patients who underwent primary TKA from 2017 to 2018. Hospital inpatient or outpatient status was cross-referenced with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) claims data. Demographics, comorbidities, and outcomes were compared between patients classified as ‘outpatient’ and ‘inpatient’ TKA. Episode-of-care BPCI costs were then compared from 2017 to 2018. Results Of the 2,135 primary TKA patients in 2018, 908 (43%) were classified as an outpatient and were excluded from BPCI. Inpatient classified patients had longer mean length of stay (1.9 (SD 1.4) vs 1.4 (SD 1.7) days, p < 0.001) and higher rates of discharge to rehabilitation (17% vs 3%, p < 0.001). Post-acute care costs increased when comparing the BPCI patients from 2017 to 2018, ($5,037 (SD $7,792) vs $5793 (SD $8,311), p = 0.010). The removal of TKA from the IPO list turned a net savings of $53,805 in 2017 into a loss of $219,747 in 2018 for our BPCI programme. Conclusions Following the removal of TKA from the IPO list, nearly half of the patients at our institution were inappropriately classified as an outpatient. Our target price was increased and our institution realized a substantial loss in 2018 BPCI despite strong quality metrics. CMS should address its negative implications on bundled payment programmes. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(6 Supple A):19–23.


Author(s):  
Hiba K. Anis ◽  
Nipun Sodhi ◽  
Alexander J. Acuña ◽  
Alexander Roth ◽  
Rushabh Vakharia ◽  
...  

AbstractA greater number of medically complex patients with multiple comorbidities are now more readily considered for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether comorbidity burden, measured with the Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (ECI), correlated with 90-day medical complications and longer in-hospital lengths-of-stay (LOS) in TKA patients. The PearlDiver supercomputer was queried for all primary TKA patients in the Medicare Standard Analytic Files from 2005 to 2014 using International Classification of Disease, 9th edition codes. Patients were included based on ECI scores, ranging from 1 to 5. ECI 1 patients served as the control cohort, while ECI 2, 3, 4, and 5 patients were considered study cohorts. Each study cohort was matched based on age and gender to the control cohort, resulting in a total of 715,398 patients included for analysis (ECI 1, n = 144,072; ECI 2, n = 144,072; ECI 3, n = 144,072; ECI 4, n = 144,072; ECI 5, n = 139,110). Logistic regression analyses were performed to compare 90-day medical complications and Welch's t-tests were performed to compare LOS between the cohorts. Patients with higher ECI scores were more likely to develop medical complications and have longer LOS compared with matched patients in the control cohort. Compared with matched ECI 1 patients, patients with ECI scores of 2 (odds ratio [OR]: 1.19, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14–1.24), 3 (OR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.21–1.32), 4 (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.27–1.38), and 5 (OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.27–1.39) were significantly more likely to develop 90-day medical complications. Additionally, the mean LOS of patients in the ECI 2 (2.59 ± 1.49 vs. 2.73 ± 1.52 days), ECI 3 (2.59 ± 1.49 vs. 2.88 ± 1.51 days; p < 0.001), ECI 4 (2.59 ± 1.49 vs. 3.01 ± 1.56 days; p < 0.001), and ECI 5 (2.61 ± 1.49 vs. 3.14 ± 1.61 days; p < 0.001) groups were significantly longer than the mean LOS in the control ECI 1 group. In an increasingly complex patient population, associations between comorbidities and outcomes after TKA procedures can guide providers on how to modify their pre- and postoperative care. These results demonstrate that higher ECI scores are associated with a greater likelihood of 90-day medical complications and longer in-hospital LOS.


Author(s):  
J. Stewart Buck ◽  
Susan M. Odum ◽  
Jonathan K. Salava ◽  
David M. Macknet ◽  
Thomas K. Fehring ◽  
...  

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the conversion rate of knee arthroscopy to ipsilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) within 2 years in patients aged 50 or older at the time of arthroscopy. The administrative database from a large, physician-owned orthopaedic practice (>100 surgeons) was queried to identify patients over the age of 50 who had undergone arthroscopic knee surgery between January 1, 2006 and January 2, 2015. The subset of patients who converted to TKA within 2 years after knee arthroscopy was identified and matched by age and sex to a control population that did not convert to TKA. Rates of conversion to TKA were calculated. Prearthroscopic digital radiographs were reviewed and Kellgren–Lawrence (KL) grades were compared among case and control populations. Univariable analyses and multivariable regression analysis were performed. Eight hundred seven of 16,061 (5.02%) patients aged 50 or older were converted to TKA within 2 years following ipsilateral knee arthroscopy. In univariable analysis, the rate of conversion to TKA in patients aged between 50 and 54 was 2.94%, compared with 4.44% in patients aged between 55 and 64, and 8.32% in patients 65 or older (p < 0.0001). Female sex was associated with a higher rate of conversion to TKA in univariable analysis (5.93 vs. 4.02% in males, p < 0.0001). KL grades were higher among patients who converted to TKA compared with those who did not (p < 0.0001). In a multivariable regression model controlling for age, sex, and KL grade, only increased KL grade was associated with increased odds of conversion to TKA. In the appropriately selected older patient, the risk of conversion to TKA within 2 years of knee arthroscopy is low (∼5%). Patients with KL grade 2 or higher at the time of arthroscopy should be counseled on the increased odds of early conversion to TKA.


Healthcare ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 489
Author(s):  
KwangSun Do ◽  
JongEun Yim

Background: Functional limitations may still remain even after a patient completes a traditional quadriceps-based rehabilitative program after total knee arthroplasty. Based on studies reporting that patients with knee osteoarthritis have muscle weakness around the hip joint after total knee arthroplasty, we investigated whether strengthening the hip muscles can reduce pain and improve the physical function and gait of patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty. Methods: Patients were randomly divided into three groups: hip, quadriceps, and control. The hip group (n = 19) completed an extensor, adductor, and external muscle strengthening exercise program. The quadriceps group (n = 20) completed a quadriceps strengthening exercise program. The control group (n = 16) completed an active range of motion exercises. Therapy was conducted thrice weekly for 12 weeks. Pain and function items from the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, Alternate Step Test, Five Times Sit to Stand Test, and Single Leg Stance Test were performed to assess pain and physical function. In the gait analysis, stride, single-stance (%), double-stance (%), and gait speed were measured. Data were collected at baseline and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the intervention. Results: The hip group showed more significant improvements in pain and performance on the Alternate Step Test and Single Leg Stance Test than the quadriceps and control groups. In the gait analysis, the hip group showed the largest improvements in single stance and double stance. Conclusions: In conclusion, a 12-week hip muscle strengthening exercise program effectively improves the physical function and gait of patients who have undergone total knee arthroplasty.


2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 928-934 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masahiro Izumi ◽  
Kiyoshi Migita ◽  
Mashio Nakamura ◽  
Yuka Jiuchi ◽  
Tatsuya Sakai ◽  
...  

Objective.To compare the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) between patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and those with osteoarthritis (OA).Methods.The subjects were composed of 1084 Japanese patients with OA and 204 with RA. Primary effectiveness outcomes were any deep vein thrombosis (DVT) as detected by bilateral ultrasonography up to postoperative Day 10 (POD10) and pulmonary embolism (PE) up to POD28. The main safety outcomes were bleeding and death from any cause up to POD28. Plasma D-dimer levels were measured before and at POD10 after TKA.Results.The study cohort was composed of 1288 patients from 34 hospitals. There was no death up to POD28. PE occurred in 2 patients with OA and in no patients with RA. The incidence of primary effectiveness outcome was 24.3% and 24.0% in patients with OA and RA, respectively. The incidence of major bleeding up to POD28 was 1.3% and 0.5% in patients with OA and RA, respectively. No differences in the incidence of VTE (symptomatic/asymptomatic DVT plus PE) or bleeding were noted between patients with RA and OA. D-dimer levels on POD10 were significantly higher in patients with OA compared with those with RA. Also, D-dimer levels on POD10 were significantly lower in patients receiving fondaparinux than in patients without pharmacological prophylaxis.Conclusion.Despite some differences in demographic data, patients with RA and OA have equivalent risks of VTE and bleeding following TKA.


2021 ◽  
Vol 126 (1) ◽  
pp. e29-e31
Author(s):  
Steven B. Porter ◽  
Haoyan Zhong ◽  
Christopher B. Robards ◽  
Jiabin Liu ◽  
Jashvant Poeran ◽  
...  

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