Patients' willingness to contribute to cost of novel implants in total joint arthroplasty.

Abstract

As health care organizations adapt to more accountable financial models, it is increasingly important to assess how patients value new technologies, and their willingness to contribute to their cost. A questionnaire described features of a 'standard' implant including its longevity and risk of complications. We asked if participants would be willing to contribute to the cost of 3 novel implants with differing longevity and risk of complications. Our cohort included 195 patients, 45% were willing to add a co-pay to increase the longevity. Willingness to pay decreased to 26% with increased risk of complications, and 29% were willing to pay for a decreased risk of complications. Patients with higher education level, private insurance and males were more willing to contribute for a novel prosthesis. This study demonstrated that 26%-45% of patients are willing to share costs of a novel prosthesis. Willingness to pay was associated with the proposed implant benefits and with patient characteristics.