Bilateral or Multiple Major Joint Procedures of Lower Extremity with MCC

Medicare Severity Diagnosis Related Group 461 covers hospital stays in which a patient undergoes bilateral or multiple major joint procedures of the lower extremity and also has at least one major complication or comorbidity. The presence of MCC indicates higher resource use and expected costs, so this DRG is reimbursed at a higher rate than comparable groups without such complications. It commonly includes combined hip and knee arthroplasties or multiple lower-extremity joint replacements performed in a single admission.