Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement Model

Augusta Health is participating in a Medicare initiative called the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) model. The CJR model aims to promote quality and financial accountability for care surrounding lower-extremity joint replacement (LEJR) procedures, commonly referred to as hip and knee replacements and/or other major leg procedures. Augusta Health’s participation in the CJR model should not restrict your access to care for your medical condition or your freedom to choose your health care providers and services. All existing Medicare beneficiary protections continue to be available to you. These include the ability to report concerns of substandard care to Quality Improvement Organizations and 1-800-MEDICARE.

The CJR model aims to help give you better care

The CJR model aims to support better and more efficient care for beneficiaries undergoing LEJR procedures. A CJR episode of care is typically defined as an admission of an eligible Medicare beneficiary to a hospital participating in the CJR model that eventually results in a discharge paid under Medicare Severity-Diagnosis Related Groups (MS-DRG) 469 (major joint replacement or reattachment of lower extremity with major complications or comorbidities) or 470 (major joint replacement or reattachment of lower extremity without major complications or comorbidities). The CJR episode of care continues for 90 days following discharge. This model tests bundled payment and quality measurement for an episode of care associated with LEJR procedures to encourage hospitals, physicians, and post-acute care providers to work together to improve the quality and coordination of care from the initial hospitalization through recovery. Through this bundled payment model, Augusta Health will receive additional payments if quality and spending performance are strong or, if not, potentially have to repay Medicare for a portion of the spending for care surrounding a lower extremity joint replacement procedure.

Medicare is using the CJR model to encourage Augusta Health to work more closely with your doctors and other health care providers that help patients recover after discharge from the hospital, including nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities), home health agencies, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, and long-term care hospitals. The goal of the model is to encourage these providers and suppliers to provide you with better, more coordinated care during and following your hospital stay. The model is expected to lower the cost of care to Medicare but your costs for covered care will not increase due to these changes.

Augusta Health is working closely with the doctors and other health care providers and suppliers who will care for you during and following your hospital stay and extending through the recovery period. By working together, your health care providers and suppliers are planning more efficient, high quality care as you undergo treatment.

Medicare will monitor your care to ensure you and others are receiving high quality care. You have the right to choose which hospital, doctor, or other post-hospital stay health care provider you use. If you are considering lower-extremity joint replacement (LEJR) procedures, Augusta Health will provide you with additional information from CMS about your options.

Get more information

If you have questions or want more information about the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) model, call Augusta Health at 540-332-4000 or call 1-800-MEDICARE. You can also find additional information at https://innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/cjr