CMS finalizes changes to hip and knee bundled payment program

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services April 29 issued a rule finalizing changes to the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement model, which bundles payment to acute care hospitals for hip and knee replacement surgery. Under this model, hospitals in which a joint replacement has taken place are held financially accountable for episode quality and costs. 
 
Among other policies, CMS will extend the CJR model for an additional three years, through Dec. 31, 2024, beyond its current timeline. However, this extension will apply only to hospitals in the 34 metropolitan statistical areas in which participation was mandatory. Hospitals participating in the “voluntary” MSAs, as well as all low-volume and rural hospitals that have elected to participate, will continue to see the model end on Sept. 31, 2021.