Rep. Price Introduces HIP Act to Delay CJR

This week, Representative Tom Price, MD (R-GA) introduced H.R. 4848, the Healthy Inpatient Procedures Act of 2016 (HIP Act) that aims to suspend operation of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) payment model until at least January 1, 2018. The CJR establishes episode-based Medicare payment for total joint replacement procedures. Participation in the CJR is mandatory for hospitals and physicians in 67 metropolitan statistical areas around the country. The legislation will not be considered by Congress prior to the scheduled launch of the CJR on April 1, 2016. Read the news release.