The Role of Value-Based Implants in Orthopedic Trauma

Abstract

Health care costs in the United States continue to rise, and economic pressures influencing the care of the orthopedic trauma patient have never been greater. Value-based health care is vital to the survival of the current health care system, and the use of value-based implants is central to success. Value-based implants have similar clinical outcomes to conventional implants; however, multiple barriers exist. Despite biomechanical equivalence and significant cost savings, surgeons have difficultly changing implant use without financial incentive. The rise of physician-owned surgery centers, bundled payments, and gain sharing and comanagement agreements will likely drive this change.

Keywords: Generic implants; Health care economics; Health care finance; Value-based implants.