Becker's ASC Review

45 ORTHOPEDIC SECTION What Are the Driving Forces Behind Medicare Reimbursement for Total Joint Arthroplasty? 7 Key Notes By Eric Oliver A study in the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery presented the biggest variables affecting total joint arthroplasty reim- bursement. e study uses standard economic and health- care specific variables. Here is what you need to know. 1. e researchers examined 527,207 total joint arthroplasties with a weighted mean reim- bursement of $14,324.84. e range of reim- bursement was $9,103 to $38,686. 2. Total joint arthroplasty provider volume and patient satisfaction were both negatively correlated with reimbursement. Government ownership of a hospital coupled with higher Medicare costs correlated positively. 3. e researchers concluded that the reim- bursement rate was variable. 4. Factors associated with a high reimburse- ment rate include: • Lower patient volume • Lower patient satisfaction • A healthier patient population • Government ownership of a hospital 5. To prepare for value-based care, providers should expect dramatic changes in total joint reimbursement. e following will affect reimbursement: • Patient volume • Willingness to care for sicker patient popula- tions • Patient satisfaction • Safe outcomes • Procedural demand 6. Researchers examined inpatient charge or reimbursement data for 2,750 hospitals with at least 10 discharges for uncomplicated total joint arthroplasty for the 2011 fiscal year. e researchers also examined reimbursement variability using the Dartmouth Atlas. 7. e researchers said the findings need more investigation and collaboration between poli- cymakers and providers to develop value-based reimbursement. n Stryker Courts ASCs With Ascential Spine Device, Inventory Management Solution: 5 Things to Know By Laura Dyrda S tryker introduced a new implant delivery solution for low-acuity spine surgeries designed for the ambulatory surgery center. Here are five things to know: 1. The new solution, Ascential, offers sterile-packaged implants, customized service levels and a streamlined distribution model. It is intended for operational efficien- cies, competitive pricing and reduced operating costs for ASCs. 2. The implants are Stryker-manufactured in accordance with the company's quality standards. 3. The spine products available through Ascential include: • ACP 1 Anterior Cervical Plating System • IBD Peek Anterior Cervical Spacer System • VBA Vitoss Foam Pack 4. Ascential includes optional end-to-end radiofrequency identification inventory management with proprietary tech- nology, allowing the sales representative and facility staff to monitor and manage inventory before, during and after surgery. The system is designed to reduce labor costs and ensure implant availability. 5. All of the implant packaging is unique device identifica- tion-compliant and includes patient labels to promote trace- ability. 6. The surgery center keeps the instruments after surgery, instead of allowing the sales rep to take the instruments for reprocessing, and sterilizes the implants on a schedule that makes sense for the facility. The inventory management pro- gram can be customized for each facility. "Ambulatory surgery centers are often focused on improving logistics, increasing efficiency and reducing costs," said Or- rin Levine, senior director, business solutions at Stryker. "The new Ascential solution positively impacts all three — once it's up and running, processes for spinal fusion procedures can become even more simplified, repeatable and scalable." n

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