Abstract

Objectives

The viability of specialty condition-based care via integrated practice units (IPUs) requires a comprehensive understanding of total costs of care. Our primary objective was to introduce a model to evaluate costs and potential costs savings using time-driven activity-based costing comparing IPU-based nonoperative management with traditional nonoperative management and IPU-based operative management with traditional operative management for hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA). Secondarily, we assess drivers of incremental cost differences between IPU-based care and traditional care. Finally, we model potential cost savings through diverting patients from traditional operative management to IPU-based nonoperative management.

Methods

We developed a model to evaluate costs using time-driven activity-based costing for hip and knee OA care pathways within a musculoskeletal IPU compared with traditional care. We identified differences in costs and drivers of cost differences and developed a model to demonstrate potential cost savings through diverting patients from operative intervention.

Results

Weighted average costs of IPU-based nonoperative management were lower than traditional nonoperative management and lower in IPU-based operative management than traditional operative management. Key drivers of incremental cost savings included care led by surgeons in partnership with associate providers, modified physical therapy programs with self-management, and judicious use of intra-articular injections. Substantial savings were modeled by diverting patients toward IPU-based nonoperative management.

Conclusions

Costing models involving musculoskeletal IPUs demonstrate favorable costs and cost savings compared with traditional management of hip or knee OA. More effective team-based care and utilization of evidence-based nonoperative strategies can drive the financial viability of these innovative care models.