A new report published in the Journal of Arthroplasty outlined the impact of CMS removing total knee arthroplasty from the inpatient-only list.
Researchers fielded a study to members of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons asking if the surgeon's hospital was treating all patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty as outpatients, as well as the change's impact on surgeons and patients. A total of 730 members responded.
Here are the key details to know:
1. According to the report, more hospitals are scheduling total knee arthroplasty procedures as outpatient, and Medicare Advantage contractors began to expect most of the procedures to be outpatient.
2. Out of surveyed members, 59.5 percent said their hospitals said all Medicare total knee arthroplasties should be scheduled as outpatient procedures.
3. Thirty percent said their patients experienced added personal cost secondary to their surgery being scheduled as an outpatient procedure.
4. Over 76 percent of members said the issue became an administrative burden.