The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announces it has finalized the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) payment model for Medicare beneficiaries receiving hip and knee replacements.

According to a media release from the Department of Health and Human Services, this payment model will hold hospitals accountable for the quality of care they deliver to Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries for hip and knee replacements and/or other major leg procedures from surgery through recovery.

Through this payment model, hospitals in 67 geographic areas will receive additional payments if quality and spending performance are strong or, if not, will potentially have to repay Medicare for a portion of the spending for care surrounding a lower-extremity joint procedure.

The model’s goal is to give hospitals a financial incentive to work with physicians, home health agencies, skilled nursing facilities, and other providers to make sure beneficiaries get the coordinated care they need, the release continues.

Visit the Federal Register to view the final rule.

[Source: Department of Health and Human Services]