Posted by Michael Wonder on 26 Sep 2016
Issues of price exposed by knee replacements’ $1.2 billion
26 September 2016 - Knee replacements cost the health system more than any other procedure, amounting to well over $1.2 billion a year.
The Australian reports that among the 10 items on the Prostheses List that cost the most overall last year were two different brands’ components for total knee arthroplasty, priced at $2,550 and $3,650, making up $13,027,950 and $15,330,000 of the total spend.
Also in the top 10 was another company’s separate component for knee arthroplasty, priced at $4100 and making up $11,270,900 of the total spend. Health Minister Sussan Ley reportedly pushed for Prostheses List price cuts earlier this year but the Coalition instead opted for further committee talks.
