Exceptional care leads to better results
Joint rehabilitation. Replacement procedures. Broken bones. Chronic pain. We understand. We help members like you every day. We know the value of comprehensive orthopedic treatment centers that can provide both inpatient and outpatient procedures — and can perform them well.
What to look for when choosing an orthopedic care facility.
Choosing a health care facility capable of handling your orthopedic care can seem downright daunting. Here are five factors that represent “quality:”
Experience
It’s common sense. The more significant experience in orthopedic care a facility has, the better. A minimum of 200 knee replacement procedures in a year, 100 hip replacement procedures, and 200 spine procedures are considered solid benchmarks.
Credentials
Your physician’s experience in orthopedic care also matters. At least one physician in a facility should have performed 50 knee replacement procedures, 50 hip replacement procedures and 50 spine procedures in a calendar year.
Standards
Clinical performance is always key indicator. A quality orthopedic care facility meets evidence-based and recognized standards for clinical outcomes, processes of care and patient safety.
Support
A comprehensive approach treatment is more likely to yield better outcomes. The facility you select should provide ongoing follow-up programs and support for orthopedic patients.
Efficiency
Higher efficiency often means lower cost of care. A comprehensive facility with lower complication and readmission rates is your best bet.
Consider Aetna Institutes of Quality® Orthopedic Surgery Facilities
Aetna Institutes of Quality (IOQ) is a network of facilities that have been specifically selected for meeting (and surpassing) all of these criteria.
Additional requirements for selection to the Network include:
- Total joint replacement program that has been established for at least one year
- At least 80% of orthopedic surgeons providing orthopedic services must be board certified
- On-site availability of specialist physicians participating in the Aetna network for all products offered in the market
- A quality improvement program, with initiatives focused on continuously measuring and improving orthopedic care to include an automated data collection system and/or personnel
Health benefits and health insurance plans are offered and/or underwritten by Aetna Health Inc., Aetna Health of California Inc., Aetna Health Insurance Company of New York, Aetna Health Insurance Company and/or Aetna Life Insurance Company (Aetna). In Florida by Aetna Health Inc. and/or Aetna Life Insurance Company. In Maryland by Aetna Health Inc., 151 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT 06156. Each insurer has sole financial responsibility for its own products.
This material is for information only. Health benefits and health insurance plans contain exclusions and limitations. Providers are independent contractors and are not agents of Aetna. Provider participation may change without notice. Aetna does not provide care or guarantee access to health services.
