On Wednesday, March 23, 2106, Rep. Price (R-GA) and Rep. Scott (D-GA) introduced a bipartisan bill that would delay implementation of a Medicare bundled payment program that would pay hospitals a single payment for joint replacement surgeries and any related follow up care for a period of 90 days post-surgery. This program, known as the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CCJR) payment model was finalized in the Federal Register on November 16, 2015 and is scheduled for implementation on April 1, 2016 — despite significant concerns about the payment model that were submitted by various medical groups and allied healthcare groups such as AOPA through the official notice and comment period.
According to Rep. Price, the bipartisan bill seeks to delay implementation of the CCJR program until January 2018. In an interview, Rep Price stated, “at the very least, a delay in implementation is warranted to give all involved time to better assess, review, and weigh the impact and consequences of this proposal and more adequately prepare so patients are protected.”
AOPA believes a delay in implementation is warranted to allow for more analysis of the potential impact of this payment model on all parties involved, especially patients. AOPA’s comments on the CCJR payment model may be found here.
AOPA will continue to monitor the progress of this bill and report any information on a potential delay in implementation of the CCJR payment model as it becomes available.
Questions regarding this issue may be directed to Joe McTernan at jmcternan@aopanet.org.