Arthroplasty today
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Over 1 million total joint arthroplasties (TJAs) are performed every year in the United States, creating Medicare cost concerns for policy makers. The purpose of this study is to evaluate recent trends in Medicare utilization and reimbursements to hospitals/surgeons for TJAs between 2012 and 2017. ⋯ Despite increasing TJA volume and utilization, surgeon reimbursements have continued to decline, whereas hospital payments and hospital charges have increased significantly more than surgeon charges. Cost containment efforts will need to address other expenditures such as hospital costs and implant costs to better align financial risks and incentives for TJA surgeons.
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Variables considered by hip and knee arthroplasty fellowship program directors (PDs) to select fellowship candidates are not well known. ⋯ According to hip and knee arthroplasty fellowship PDs, the interview, letters of recommendation, and personal connections to the applicant and/or letter writers are the most important factors considered in selecting arthroplasty fellowship candidates.