BACKGROUND: Alternative payment models for total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have incentivized providers to deliver higher quality care at a lower cost, prompting some institutions to develop formal nurse navigation programs (NNPs). The purpose of this study was to determine whether a NNP for primary THA and TKA resulted in decreased episode-of-care (EOC) costs. METHODS: We reviewed a consecutive series of primary THA and TKA patients from 2015-2016 using claims data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Medicare Advantage patients from a private insurer. Three nurse navigators were hired to guide discharge disposition and home needs. Ninety-day EOC costs were collected before and after implementation of the NNP. To control for confounding variables, we performed a multivariate regression analysis to determine the independent effect of the NNP on EOC costs. RESULTS: During the study period, 5275 patients underwent primary TKA or THA. When compared with patients in the prenavigator group, the NNP group had reduced 90-day EOC costs ($19,116 vs $20,418 for Medicare and $35,378 vs $36,961 for private payer, P < .001 and P < .012, respectively). Controlling for confounding variables in the multivariate analysis, the NNP resulted in a $1575 per Medicare patient (P < .001) and a $1819 per private payer patient cost reduction (P = .005). This translates to a cost savings of at least $5,556,600 per year. CONCLUSION: The implementation of a NNP resulted in a marked reduction in EOC costs following primary THA and TKA. The cost savings significantly outweighs the added expense of the program. Providers participating in alternative payment models should consider using a NNP to provide quality arthroplasty care at a reduced cost.
BACKGROUND: Alternative payment models for total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have incentivized providers to deliver higher quality care at a lower cost, prompting some institutions to develop formal nurse navigation programs (NNPs). The purpose of this study was to determine whether a NNP for primary THA and TKA resulted in decreased episode-of-care (EOC) costs. METHODS: We reviewed a consecutive series of primary THA and TKA patients from 2015-2016 using claims data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Medicare Advantage patients from a private insurer. Three nurse navigators were hired to guide discharge disposition and home needs. Ninety-day EOC costs were collected before and after implementation of the NNP. To control for confounding variables, we performed a multivariate regression analysis to determine the independent effect of the NNP on EOC costs. RESULTS: During the study period, 5275 patients underwent primary TKA or THA. When compared with patients in the prenavigator group, the NNP group had reduced 90-day EOC costs ($19,116 vs $20,418 for Medicare and $35,378 vs $36,961 for private payer, P < .001 and P < .012, respectively). Controlling for confounding variables in the multivariate analysis, the NNP resulted in a $1575 per Medicare patient (P < .001) and a $1819 per private payer patient cost reduction (P = .005). This translates to a cost savings of at least $5,556,600 per year. CONCLUSION: The implementation of a NNP resulted in a marked reduction in EOC costs following primary THA and TKA. The cost savings significantly outweighs the added expense of the program. Providers participating in alternative payment models should consider using a NNP to provide quality arthroplasty care at a reduced cost.
Authors: Christine M Orndahl; Robert A Perera; Anna Hung; Levent Dumenci; Daniel L Riddle Journal: Arch Phys Med Rehabil Date: 2021-03-06 Impact factor: 4.060
Authors: John R Wright; Divya K Madhusudhan; David C Lawrence; Sharon A Watts; Daniel J Lord; Christopher Whaley; Dena M Bravata Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2022-07-26 Impact factor: 6.473