Patient Perception of Medicare Reimbursement to Orthopedic Surgeons for THA and TKA

A survey study was performed of individuals in an orthopedic clinic waiting room regarding their knowledge of Medicare reimbursement to orthopedic surgeons for primary THA and TKA. A total of 1200 surveys were submitted by individuals (median age 64 years, 61% female, 50% with Medicare as their primary insurance and 29% having had THA or TKA). The median amount respondents felt that a reasonable fee to the orthopedic surgeon for performing THA or TKA was $5000, while they estimated the Medicare reimbursement to be much less. When asked what was the most they would be willing to pay out-of-pocket to have the surgery performed or for advanced technology related to the procedure, the median was $2000. Most respondents were willing to wait 3–7 weeks for surgery to be performed. Participants tended to value THA and TKA more relative to Medicare payments and tended to overestimate Medicare reimbursement to surgeons for THA and TKA.