Bundled Payments Face Hurdles in Workers' Comp

Bundled payments for specific sets of medical treatment will take a major step forward with the launch of a Medicare pilot program at more than 800 hospitals today, but that method of paying for services faces a number of obstacles in workers’ comp, some say. The Centers for Medicare Services’ program, called the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement model, applies to hip and knee replacement surgeries. Medicare will determine a set fee for the “episode of care” for joint-replacement patients, and will include the surgery and related care through 90 days after ...