Hip and knee implants: current trends and policy considerations.

This paper constitutes an analysis of the issues, relationships, emerging hospital strategies, and policy needs surrounding hip and knee implants. Demand for hip and knee replacements is rising annually, and growth is expected to be substantial. Costs are high, reaching $11 billion for hospitals in 2004 and $5 billion for Medicare in 2006. Relationships among stakeholders add complexity. Case studies reveal emerging strategies by hospitals for management of implants. Policy considerations include development of a national council for data and technology assessment, a national joint registry, price transparency, and incentives.