Part II: The CJR-X Mandate Explained: How CMS's Nationwide Mandatory Bundled Payment Expansion for Hip, Knee, and Ankle Replacements Is Reshaping Orthopedic Economics and Creating New Startup Markets

CMS just mandated bundled payments for joint replacements at 2,000+ hospitals. Go-live: Jan 1, 2028. This is the biggest mandatory episode payment expansion in Medicare history.

The model covers 90 days post-discharge for hip, knee, and ankle replacements. Post-acute care eats 40%+ of episode dollars. Hospitals now own that entire tail financially.

Here i…