What is a Joint Replacement Bundle?
A joint replacement bundle is a way for you and your insurance company to pay for surgical procedures and ninety days of post-operative care with only one bill from EmergeOrtho. Those that choose a joint replacement bundle will receive no additional bill from the surgical facility, the anesthesiologist, the physical therapist, or any other health care provider. Your doctor becomes responsible for any unexpected care and costs incurred during this 90 day period. The goal of an outpatient joint replacement bundle is to reduce your costs, promote higher quality care and transparency, and improve your experience.
Increasing Quality. Reducing Cost.
The success of a joint replacement bundle program relies on a highly sophisticated care team to manage the entire process; from the time the decision for surgery is made, until well after surgery. EmergeOrtho has been a leader in North Carolina in bundle surgery care as the first orthopedic practice to perform joint replacement bundle surgery in 2011.
Does My Insurance Carrier Participate in Bundle Surgery?
EmergeOrtho currently offers bundle surgery with BCBS and Aetna. Depending on what type of insurance you have, bundle details may vary.
What Are the Benefits of Outpatient Joint Replacement?
- Lower Risk of Complications
- An outpatient setting reduces a patient’s risk of infection compared to surgery in a traditional hospital. Additionally, there is less surgical scarring due to smaller incisions being used. Getting patients up and moving more quickly can reduce the risk of blood clots and other postoperative complications.
- Less Expensive
- Outpatient surgery is typically significantly less expensive than inpatient surgery. One night of inpatient hospital care can increase the cost of treatment by thousands of dollars.
- Improved Health and Comfort
- Outpatient surgery allows the patient to recover at home on the same day as their procedure with the help of a family member or close friend.
- Faster Recovery
- Minimally invasive procedures shorten the duration in which patients are under anesthesia, allowing the patient to wake up more quickly after surgery. Additionally, a refined approach to postoperative pain management enables patients to be up and walking the same day.
Who is an Ideal Candidate for Outpatient Joint Replacement?
The ideal candidate for outpatient joint replacement is someone who is:
- Healthy: Patients must be free of certain medical conditions that would require monitoring in a hospital, such as cardiovascular or pulmonary conditions.
- Motivated to Recover: Recovering from joint replacement surgery is hard work and requires willpower and perseverance for the best results. Therapy exercises will need to be performed regularly and correctly. The patients who make the best recovery are those who are excited about the results they can achieve after the procedure.
- Assisted by a Good Support System: It’s hard to recover without help. A family member or a close friend who will help the patient through the first few days of recovery can considerably boost the benefit of their recovery efforts. This can range from helping with medications to doing exercises alongside the patient to encouragement.
Although joint replacement surgery may make sense for some patients, only your surgeon can help you decide what is best for you. Request an appointment with one of our participating joint replacement surgeons to discuss your options for outpatient vs. inpatient joint replacement surgery.
To learn more about EmergeOrtho-Triangle Region’s bundle program, contact Marsha Dunston, Case Manager at (919) 281-1688.
