Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri and SSM Health Care-St. Louis have collaborated to develop an alternative to fee-for-service reimbursement for total knee replacements through a bundled payment initiative, according to an SSM Health Care-St. Louis news release.
The bundled payment agreement includes all services associated with knee replacement, such as physical therapy, facility services and follow-up visits. The two entities hope the collaboration will lower the cost of healthcare for knee replacement.
SSM Health Care-St. Louis owns and operates SSM Joint Replacement Center and DePaul Health Center in Bridgeton, Mo. The bundled payment strategy for total knee replacements allows SSM Joint Replacement Center to be reimbursed at a flat rate for all appropriate care components, such as hospital stay, durable medical equipment, readmissions for revisions or complications and outpatient postoperative care.
Read other coverage on bundled payments:
- Evaluating the Medicare Pilot Programs: Comparing ACOs and Bundled Payments
- Bundled Pricing Opportunities & Challenges: Q&A With Baptist Health System's Michael Zucker
The bundled payment agreement includes all services associated with knee replacement, such as physical therapy, facility services and follow-up visits. The two entities hope the collaboration will lower the cost of healthcare for knee replacement.
SSM Health Care-St. Louis owns and operates SSM Joint Replacement Center and DePaul Health Center in Bridgeton, Mo. The bundled payment strategy for total knee replacements allows SSM Joint Replacement Center to be reimbursed at a flat rate for all appropriate care components, such as hospital stay, durable medical equipment, readmissions for revisions or complications and outpatient postoperative care.
Read other coverage on bundled payments:
- Evaluating the Medicare Pilot Programs: Comparing ACOs and Bundled Payments
- Bundled Pricing Opportunities & Challenges: Q&A With Baptist Health System's Michael Zucker