“We commend the decision by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to test models that may provide higher quality, better coordinated care at lower cost, like the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement payment model announced yesterday. It is a positive and promising step forward toward in achieving a health care system that rewards value instead of volume and treats patients and families as partners in health care decision-making.

Bundled payment has the potential to drive quality improvements by paying hospitals for the quality of care they deliver to Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries for hip and knee replacements. But it is essential, in this and other models, that transparent quality metrics and patient-reported outcomes be used to help gauge success and ensure that the quality and experience of care is improving and producing better outcomes for patients.

As alternative payment models like the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement roll out, we will continue to educate consumers about the associated benefits and help patients and families understand and engage effectively in these models. Together, we will continue moving toward a more patient- and family-centered health care system.”