The AAHKS surveyed its membership and received 458 responses. The major findings of the survey include:
• 33.6 percent of surgeons reported a decrease in patient volume, compared to the 10.8 percent who reported an increase
• 29.3 percent of respondents reported a mean decrease in outpatient visits, compared with the 7 percent of respondents reported an increase
• 31.1 percent of respondents reported changing their total joint arthroplasty practice due to declining reimbursements
• By collaborating with hospitals, 31.9 percent of respondents reported a mean savings of 19.33 percent, and 29.4 percent of respondents reported a mean savings of 21.27 percent on implant costs
In terms of reimbursement levels and revenue loss, the survey reported:
• 49-57 percent of the respondents would be unable to provide TJA to Medicare patients if Medicare were to drop reimbursement by 15-20 percent
• 29.9 percent loss in surgeon retirement savings was reported
• 65.28 years old was the mean age of planned retirement after the economic downturn, compared with previously reported 64.05 years old.
• 0.5 percent decrease in the total joint arthroplasty among AAHKS membership was experienced between 2008 and 2009, dropping from 295,430 to 294,067
Read the AAOS release about the economy’s impact on total joint replacement.
Read other coverage on AAOS:
– AAOS: 11 Key Changes to Orthopedic and Spine CPT Codes for 2011
– AAOS: PRP an Unproven Option for Orthopedic Treatment
– AAOS: Guideline and Recommendations on Rotator Cuff Repair
