Before undergoing knee replacement surgery, life had become increasingly difficult for David Chontofalsky, a senior IT consultant with IT Change Management at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He was coping with chronic pain in both knees, and an X-ray revealed no cartilage remained in either one.
The pain affected so many things he enjoyed, such as walking the dog, shopping and going to car shows. And it made it almost impossible to pursue his passion as a master gardener.
His right knee was especially problematic, often buckling without warning. Everyday activities—stepping off a curb, walking on uneven surfaces or going downstairs—became unpredictable and dangerous.
“There were many times I’d take the first step down and suddenly find myself on the floor, staring at the underside of the dining room table,” David said.
One Call Changed Everything
David had been receiving care at Vanderbilt Orthopedics Hendersonville when he got a call from Tina McCoy, a patient navigator with Vanderbilt's MyHealth Bundles program. She explained the unique approach of the program, which provides concierge support from a navigator and a personalized treatment plan. In the case of the MyOrthoHealth Bundle for knee pain, the plan includes therapies and even surgery if determined to be the most appropriate course of treatment.
David enrolled in the program and even received reimbursements for his earlier orthopedic visit co-pays. He started with injections in his knees, but they provided only partial, short-term relief—typically lasting three to four months—and did little to address the instability in his right knee. With pain mounting and his quality of life diminishing, David was ready for knee replacement surgery.
“Being over 60 and still in good health, I figured now was the time to do it—while I was still strong enough to get through the 8-10 weeks of rehab,” he said. He was also stunned to learn that the procedure would be done on an outpatient basis, something he hadn’t expected.
An Estimated $10k in Savings
David had his right knee replaced in 2023 and his left one in January 2025. Today, he says his right knee feels “fantastic” and pain-free. His left knee, while still healing from surgery, is showing steady improvement. He can walk without pain, hasn’t fallen once and is confident he’ll be back to gardening soon.
The bundle fully covered his knee replacement procedures as well as office and telehealth visits, physical therapy and medical equipment including a walker and tub bench. David's only out-of-pocket costs were for prescriptions—about $120 per knee. He estimates the bundle saved him as much as $10,000. “It was almost too good to be true,” he said.
One of the best parts of the experience was working with Tina, his patient navigator. “She was always helpful, very responsive, and clear about what was and wasn’t covered,” David said. “She checked in regularly, from scheduling all the way through recovery.”
David now actively brags to coworkers about his experience with MyHealth Bundles, emphasizing the ease, affordability and high quality of care. “It was a remarkable experience,” he said.
Learn more about the program in our latest Impact Snapshot.
