In 2014, orthopedic surgeon Yang Kaixiang began working in a Wuhan hospital and encountered a patient whose severe osteoporosis remained untreated due to the high costs of medical care. The woman, a migrant worker from Guangzhou, revealed that it would take her ten years of frugal living to save enough for a hip replacement, prompting Yang to empathize with the pain she endured.
Historically, the prohibitive expenses associated with joint replacement surgery led many patients to delay critical health interventions, putting them at risk for chronic pain and disability. Surgical procedures for replacing damaged joints and hips could reach costs of approximately 50,000 yuan (around $6,800).
Fortunately, a change came with the introduction of a bulk procurement program by the National Healthcare Security Administration, designed to lower the costs of surgeries and medical supplies through negotiated pricing with manufacturers. Initiated in 2018 and expanded in 2021 to include artificial joints, this program came in response to the growing need for replacement surgeries due to an aging population facing conditions like osteoarthritis.
As a result of the bulk buy initiative, prices for artificial knees decreased from 32,000 yuan to just 5,000 yuan, and artificial hips from 35,000 yuan to 7,000 yuan. Following significant price reductions implemented in April 2022, over 1.1 million products have been utilized, ultimately saving patients nearly 33 billion yuan in medical expenses.
Wuhan resident Zhang Zhongliang recently underwent a right hip replacement and shared his positive experience after checking out of the hospital three months post-surgery. He expressed enthusiasm about his quick recovery, explaining how he was able to walk again just a day after the surgery and return to his daily activities within a month. Zhang noted that his total medical bill was approximately 15,000 yuan for the procedure, significantly less than the 100,000 yuan his friend had to pay for a similar operation some years ago.
9 Comments
Karamba
While price reduction is important, we should also focus on improving the quality of care and patient satisfaction.
Matzomaster
The reduced costs are great, but the program still excludes many people who can't afford the remaining 5,000-7,000 yuan.
Rotfront
The program reduces the financial burden on patients and their families, alleviating the stress associated with medical expenses.
Matzomaster
This program is a significant step towards making joint replacement surgery affordable and accessible for everyone.
Rotfront
The program doesn't consider the individual needs of patients who might require specific types of artificial joints not included in the bulk buy.
Katchuka
The program stimulates competition among manufacturers, potentially leading to further price reductions.
Africa
The long-term effects of these cheaper artificial joints are unknown. We need more research to ensure patient safety.
Habibi
This initiative offers hope for millions of people suffering from joint problems who previously couldn't afford surgery.
Mariposa
We need to ensure these bulk purchases don't lead to monopolies and limited choices for patients.