Background: Rigorous training may lead to increased rates of knee osteoarthritis and arthroplasties in military service members. Given the large numbers of arthritis and the increasing need for total joint replacements, access to appropriate care can be difficult for this population based on insurance restrictions. The aim of this study was to evaluate access to total knee arthroplasty for TRICARE patients in contracted civilian medical facilities.
Methods: Orthopedic surgeons contracted to perform total knee replacements in the state of Florida were identified via TRICARE's website. Investigators used a secret shopper methodology with a standardized script to request an appointment for their family member for a total knee arthroplasty using either TRICARE Select or BlueCross preferred provider organization. The appointment acceptance rates, wait times, call duration, and accuracy of the physician listing were collected.
Results: A total of 228 offices that perform total knee arthroplasties in Florida were successfully contacted. Overall, 43.1% of the clinics had an inaccurate online listing, and 207 (91%) were able to schedule an appointment with TRICARE, compared to 93% for BlueCross Blue Shield ( = .06). The average wait for TRICARE patients was 24 days and 18 days for BlueCross ( < .01). Call times for TRICARE patients averaged 7.2 minutes, compared to 5.2 minutes for BlueCross ( < .01).
Conclusions: TRICARE patients encountered longer waiting periods and inaccurate provider listings when accessing orthopedic care. Our results suggest a disparity in healthcare access for patients using TRICARE, which may result in negative health outcomes from receiving delayed care.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10382688 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.artd.2023.101143 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Factors Associated with Postoperative Pain Trajectory, Nausea and Vomiting After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Study.
Clin J Pain
January 2025
Biostatistics Group, Department of Medical Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Objectives: Postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting adversely affect postoperative rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We aimed to identify factors associated with postoperative pain trajectory and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and evaluated the effects of different analgesic modalities.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients undergoing unilateral primary TKA from 2017 to 2022.
Purpose Of The Study: Intraarticular fractures of the distal femur rank among the most severe musculoskeletal injuries. Various treatment options, such as plate osteosynthesis or retrograde nailing, can be employed. This study aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes and complications of intraarticular distal femoral fractures treated with retrograde femoral nail, with particular emphasis on C3 fractures.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Double-level osteotomies (DLOs) have shown promising results for knee joint preservation, however, most ultimately progress in terms of degenerative disease resulting in conversion to total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the time to TKA conversion, long-term clinical outcomes and revision rates of patients who have undergone TKA after prior ipsilateral DLO.
Methods: Patients who underwent simultaneous or staged DLO and subsequently underwent conversion to TKA at a single academic institution from 1997 to 2022 were evaluated.
Outcomes of Unrestricted Weight-Bearing During Interval Period With Cement-on-Cement Articulating Antibiotic-Loaded Spacers in Two-Stage Revision for Knee Prosthetic Joint Infection.
Cureus
December 2024
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, JPN.
Background: Two-stage revision is known as the gold-standard method for knee prosthetic joint infection (PJI), but the most suitable treatment method remains controversial. Typically, weight-bearing is restricted during the interval between the stages. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of unrestricted weight bearing with cement spacers fabricated using the Knee Articulating Spacer Mold (KASM®; Ortho Development Corporation, Draper, UT, USA) for knee PJI.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA Review for automated classification of knee osteoarthritis using KL grading scheme for X-rays.
Biomed Eng Lett
January 2025
Department of Data Science, University of the Punjab, Allama Iqbal Campus, Lahore, Punjab 54000 Pakistan.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a musculoskeletal disorder that affects weight-bearing joints like the hip, knee, spine, feet, and fingers. It is a chronic disorder that causes joint stiffness and leads to functional impairment. Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a degenerative knee joint disease that is a significant disability for over 60 years old, with the most prevalent symptom of knee pain.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!