In the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) model, the payment target includes which elements?

• A. The initial hospitalization cost only.
• B. The entire episode of care around hip or knee replacement, including postacute care.
• C. Only rehab services after discharge.
• D. Only outpatient clinic visits.

Answer: (B)

The payment target in this model is built around one bundled episode of care for a hip or knee replacement, spanning from hospital admission for the surgery through a 90-day period after discharge. This is why the target includes the entire episode, not just the initial hospital stay or any single component. It covers all related services within that window, including post-acute care such as skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehab, home health, and the physician and other professional services tied to the joint replacement. The goal is to encourage coordinated, efficient care across settings, since all costs in that episode are consolidated into a single target price. If actual costs come in under the target, providers share in savings; if they exceed it, they may bear the excess costs under the model’s terms.