activemandatoryepisode-based

CJR

Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement Model

The Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) Model is a retrospective bundled payment model designed to improve care for Medicare patients undergoing hip, knee, and ankle replacements. It incentivizes hospitals, physicians, and post-acute care providers to work together to improve quality and coordinate care from the initial procedure through a 90-day recovery period.

Active since 2016-04-01

Innovation

The model uses a retrospective bundled payment approach where CMS provides a target price for each CJR MS-DRG prior to the performance year, holding hospitals financially accountable for the quality and cost of a 90-day episode of care.

The Problem

Hip, knee, and ankle replacements are the most common surgeries Medicare beneficiaries receive. Many patients experience confusing, uncoordinated care before and after their surgery, which can lead to complications or prolonged recovery.

The Solution

Participating hospitals take on additional responsibilities to ensure patients receive high-quality, coordinated care by all health care providers from the time of the procedure through recovery, including physical therapy and at-home rehabilitation.

Expected Outcomes

Patients have a safe, effective, and positive recovery experience that is free from complications, while maintaining their freedom of choice in providers and services.

Model Goals

  • Improve the quality and coordination of care from the initial hospitalization or outpatient procedure through recovery
  • Ensure a safe, effective, and positive recovery experience free from complications
  • Avoid expensive and harmful events which increase episode spending

Patient Eligibility

Eligible Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries receiving a lower extremity joint replacement at a participant hospital.

  • Medicare fee-for-service beneficiary
  • Admitted to a hospital paid under the Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS)
  • Discharged under MS-DRG 469, 470, 521, or 522
  • Includes outpatient procedures for TKAs and THAs

Provider Eligibility

Hospitals paid under the Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) located in selected Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs).

  • Hospital paid under the Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS)
  • Located in one of the 34 required MSAs (for PYs 6-8)
  • Not designated as a low volume or rural hospital

Care Categories

Orthopedic Surgery

Major Hip and Knee Joint ReplacementHip Replacement with Principal Diagnosis of Hip FractureAnkle replacement

CMS Benchmarks & Thresholds

eligibility

Covered MS-DRGsMS-DRG 469,MS-DRG 470,MS-DRG 521,MS-DRG 522
Minimum Urban Core Population for MSA Eligibility50,000

financial

Regional Spending Component Percentage (PYs 4-8)1%

operational

Performance Period Start Date2016-04-01
Total Performance Years8
Episode of Care Duration90
Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) Inpatient-Only List Removal Year2,018
Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) Inpatient-Only List Removal Year2,020
Model Extension Duration3
Performance Period End Date2024-12-31

population

Initial Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) Count67
Required MSA Count as of February34
Current Participant Hospital Count (PYs 6-8)324
Voluntary Opt-in MSA Count (January33

quality

Quality Measure NQF ID (RSCR)1,550
Quality Measure NQF ID (HCAHPS)166

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