Measure Description
Percentage of patients regardless of age undergoing a total knee replacement with documented shared decisionmaking with discussion of conservative (non-surgical) therapy (e.g., non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs), analgesics, weight loss, exercise, injections) prior to the procedure.
Instructions
This measure is to be submitted each time a procedure for total knee replacement is performed during the performance period. There is no diagnosis associated with this measure. This measure may be submitted by Meritbased Incentive Payment System (MIPS) eligible clinicians who perform the quality actions described in the measure based on the services provided and the measure-specific denominator coding.
Measure Submission Type:
Measure data may be submitted by individual MIPS eligible clinicians, groups, or third party intermediaries. The listed denominator criteria are used to identify the intended patient population. The numerator options included in this specification are used to submit the quality actions as allowed by the measure. The quality-data codes listed do not need to be submitted by MIPS eligible clinicians, groups, or third party intermediaries that utilize this modality for submissions; however, these codes may be submitted for those third party intermediaries that utilize Medicare Part B claims data. For more information regarding Application Programming Interface (API), please refer to the Quality Payment Program (QPP) website.
Denominator
All patients regardless of age undergoing a total knee replacement
Denominator Criteria (Eligible Cases):
All patients, regardless of age
AND
Patient procedure during the performance period (CPT): 27438, 27442, 27445, 27446, 27447
Numerator
Patients with documented shared decision-making including discussion of conservative (non-surgical) therapy (e.g. NSAIDs, analgesics, weight loss, exercise, injections) prior to the procedure
Numerator Options:
Performance Met: Patients with documented shared decision-making including discussion of conservative (non-surgical) therapy (e.g., NSAIDs, analgesics, weight loss, exercise, injections) prior to the procedure (G9296)
OR
Performance Not Met: Shared decision-making including discussion of conservative (non-surgical) therapy (e.g., NSAIDs, analgesics, weight loss, exercise, injections) prior to the procedure not documented, reason not given (G9297)
Rationale
A trial of non-surgical therapy should be used prior to surgery, when possible. Non-surgical therapy may include the use of NSAIDs, other analgesics, exercise, or injections. For patients with severe disability, the patient and surgeon may decide after a thorough review of conservative options that the optimal treatment is to proceed with the operative intervention.
This measure is designed for use by physicians and eligible health care professionals managing ongoing care for all patients undergoing a total knee replacement. This measure addresses the preoperative period.
Clinical Recommendation Statements
AAOS 2013 Treatment Guideline of Osteoarthritis of the Knee Evidence-Based Guideline 2nd Edition (AAOS, 2013)
AAOS recommends that patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee participate in self-management programs, strengthening, low-impact aerobic exercises, and neuromuscular education; and engage in physical activity consistent with national guidelines. (Strong Recommendation)
AAOS suggests weight loss for patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee and a BMI ≥ 25. (Moderate Recommendation)
AAOS recommends nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; oral or topical) or Tramadol for patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee. (Strong Recommendation)
OARSI 2008 Recommendations for the Management of Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis Part II (Zhang W, Moskowitz RW, Nuki G, Abramson S, et al., 2008)
Patients with knee OA who are not obtaining adequate pain relief and functional improvement from a combination of non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment should be considered for joint replacement therapy.