HCA’s innovative joint replacement program featured by New England Journal of Medicine
The Health Care Authority’s successful efforts to improve the cost and quality of joint replacement procedures among our Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) Program members are highlighted in the New England Journal of Medicine’s blog, Catalyst.
HCA created the Centers of Excellence Program to standardize the cost and quality of medical services our members use often. We do this by partnering with providers who have shown they can provide excellent care to our members for a consistent price. The first bundle of services, for knee or hip replacements, is already available to eligible Uniform Medical Plan (UMP) members.
We selected knee and hip replacements because many members receive these services. In a typical year, about 600 UMP members get a knee or hip replacement, for a total cost to the state of around $20 million. However, studies done by the Washington Health Alliance (a nonprofit group that provides data on health care quality and value in the state) revealed significant variation in quality and cost for these procedures.
Starting in 2019, UMP members will also have access to a bundle of services for lumbar fusion.
Read more about HCA’s Centers of Excellence Program for eligible UMP members.
