From the moment you arrive at Dr. William Leone’s office in the modern Holy Cross Healthplex, the atmosphere is different from most other medical waiting rooms. You are greeted by his friendly staff and every attempt is made to make you feel comfortable and respect your time. From that point onward — before, during and after your surgery – he and his team are fully engaged and always available to answer your questions and help you through the process. Communication is informative and ongoing. D. Leone’s goal and the goal of his entire team is for you never to feel rushed, uninformed or anonymous. It is this personal, patient-centric approach combined with Dr. Leone’s international reputation for excellence that draws patients from around the world to the Leone Center for Orthopedic Care seeking a solution for their hip or knee problem and concierge-level care.

According to the American Joint Replacement Registry 2021 annual report, nearly 2,250,000 people in the U.S. had primary and revision hip and knee replacement surgeries between 2012 and 2020. That number is growing exponentially due to a number of reasons.  One reason is that people’s willingness to “put up with” pain and disadvantage from an arthritic hip or knee continues to decrease as these procedures become so much more common and predictable with an easier, faster and safer recovery than ever before. Another reason is that our Baby Boomer population has come of age.  Both younger and older individuals are scheduling surgery.

As the number of people who have hip and knee replacement surgery continues to grow each year, it is no surprise that qualified orthopedic surgeons who specialize in hip and knee replacement are busier than ever before. Sadly, the “modern day” experience after a hip or knee replacement sometimes can feel like the modern-day experience of flying the airlines.  On the positive side, like air travel, surgery has never been safer. On the negative side,  air travel is fraught with crowds and delays.  That is why at the Leone Center for Orthopedic Care we work very hard so you never feel like just another number. We honor the fact that every patient is an individual with personal concerns and questions.

 It is also why Dr. Leone opted for a concierge practice that enables him to deliver superb clinical results with highly personal, unrushed and attentive patient care.

Medicare and Insurance Coverage

Because of Dr. Leone’s reputation for exceptionally attentive care and outstanding results, some people assume that he does not accept patients with Medicare insurance, but that is not correct. He absolutely welcomes and cares for many patients who have Medicare. In fact, patients with Medicare coverage make up a large portion of Dr. Leone’s practice. Although they are required to pay a fee specifically for Dr. Leone’s services, all other expenses associated with their care are covered by their Medicare and supplemental insurance. Some are able to get reimbursed from their secondary insurance, depending on their specific plan.

Many services associated with a hip or knee replacement are covered by Medicare, including hospitalization at Holy Cross Health, prosthetic costs, anesthesia, first assistant, radiology, physical therapy, home health services and supplies. All of these services are billed directly to Medicare. It is only Dr. Leone’s service fee(s) that are not covered by Medicare. His services are available to Medicare beneficiaries under a private pay arrangement and are billed to patients directly as a fee for service. This includes a consultation fee and, if surgery is required, a surgical fee. Dr. Leone accepts all insurance plans which are accepted by the Holy Cross Medical Group. You may call his office to see if a particular insurance plan is accepted.

Most of Dr. Leone’s patients go home on the day of surgery. If, however, you and Dr. Leone determine you would benefit from a night’s stay or longer in the hospital, Medicare insurance pays for this. Medicare patients can opt for a private room with gourmet meals and other services at an additional cost to be paid to the hospital. Dr. Leone’s staff can review the hospital’s amenities with you.

 

Why Patients Choose Dr. Leone

Some people question why someone would choose Dr. Leone when other surgeons may not charge a separate surgical fee. Dr. Leone’s response is that choosing a surgeon is a very personal decision. Patients choose Dr. Leone because they believe it gives them the best chance of getting the best result and having the best experience.

 

Dr. Leone’s commitment is to provide the absolute best medical care while making each patient’s entire experience as pleasant, anxiety-free and comfortable as possible and achieving an optimal result.  With Dr. Leone’s patient-focused concierge model, he and his team are able to provide each patient with an exceptional level of attentive, compassionate and personalized care. Many patients who choose Dr. Leone prioritize their health and want an experience where they feel safe and taken care of.

First-time Medicare patients are charged $250 for a consultation, which includes a thorough history, physical exam and X-rays.  Existing or former patients of Dr. Leone are charged $150 for the consultation.

Dr. Leone’s surgical fee is determined on a case-by-case basis, after the initial consultation. The surgical fee for a total hip or knee replacement typically is $6,500 but may be higher for complex or revision cases. Payment is due prior to surgery and the Leone Center Patient Liaison is available to discuss payment options with you. Post-op follow-up office visits for 90 days after surgery are included in the surgical fee.

Dr. Leone has earned a reputation over 30 years as one of the nation’s top orthopedic surgeons for solving hip and knee issues that other physicians may choose not to treat. As head of the Leone Center for Orthopedic Care, he has been instrumental in building the stature of Holy Cross Health as a nationally recognized leader in orthopedics and patient care. His outstanding reputation among his peers in the medical community and the numerous referrals of new patients he receives from those he has treated in the past are a testament to his extraordinary skill and his entire team’s commitment to exceeding patient expectations.

If you would like additional information about Dr. Leone’s concierge practice, please call our office at 954-489-4575. We welcome the opportunity to hear from you.