Editorial: Hospital case payment systems in Europe

Since the introduction of the system of diagnosis related groups (DRGs) for USA Medicare patients in 1983, case payment mechanisms have gradually become the principal means of reimbursing hospitals in most developed countries. The use of case payments nevertheless poses severe technical and policy challenges, and there remain many unresolved issues in their implementation. This paper introduces a special issue of the journal that describes and compares experience with the use of case payments for reimbursing hospitals in nine European countries. The editorial sets the policy scene, and argues that DRG systems must be seen both as a technical reimbursement method and as a fundamental incentive mechanism within the health system.     

我国按疾病诊断相关分组预付费改革进展及建议

按疾病诊断相关分组预付费是国际上应用较成熟的一种住院患者医保费用支付方式,2017年我国将选择部分地区开展按疾病诊断相关分组预付费试点。本文从省、市、县层面,对国内按疾病诊断相关分组预付费改革典型地区进行个案分析,总结改革方案设计的特点,比较政策实施的差异,讨论改革的经验和启示。在分析当前改革进展和问题的基础上,提出推进我国按疾病诊断相关分组预付费改革的相关建议。     

Inter-DRG resource dynamics in a prospective payment system: a stochastic kernel approach

This paper empirically investigates the resource distribution dynamics across Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs) of elective surgery patients, in a continuing Prospective Payment System (PPS). Existing econometric literature has mainly focussed on the impact of PPS on average Length of Stay (LOS) concluding that the average LOS has declined post PPS. There is little literature on the distribution of this decline across DRGs, in a PPS. The present paper helps fill this gap. It models the evolution over time of the empirical distribution of LOS across DRGs. The empirical distributions are estimated using a non parametric “stochastic kernel approach” based on Markov Chain theory. The results for inlier episodes suggest that resource redistribution will increase capacity and expected number of admissions for DRGs having increasing waiting times. In addition, adjustments in relative cost weights are perceived as price signals by hospitals leading to a change in their casemix. The results for high outlier patients reveal that improved quality of care is one of the factors causing reduction in high outlier episodes.

美国门诊病例分组预付制的经验及对我国的启示

目的:梳理美国门诊病例分组(Ambulatory Patient Groups,APG)政策发展历程,为完善我国门诊支付方式提供经验借鉴.方法:基于文献分析法,系统总结美国开展APG支付的具体措施、实施范围和效果.结果:过去30年门诊病例分组发展了四个版本,分组结果逐步精细化、科学化,从最初的299组增长到606组.1...     

The costs of caring for stroke patients in a GP-led community hospital: an application of programme budgeting and marginal analysis

There has been little evaluation of the role of community hospitals in the provision of integrated health care services in a primary care-led health system. The aim of this study was to model the probable changes in the use of NHS resources from the introduction of integrated stroke care in a general pracititioner-led community hospital. A programme budgeting and marginal analysis (PBMA) exercise was conducted combining practice data for the 'before' period and data from the literature to model the 'after' period. Data were collected from all patients discharged with a primary diagnosis of stroke 1994-96 in Nairn and Ardersier Total Fundholding pilot site, Highland Health Board, Scotland. Under several assumptions, a policy of early discharge of patients to the community hospital, and/or avoiding admission at the acute trust and admitting patients to the community hospital directly (except emergencies), is likely to result in a reduction of the total annual costs of treating stroke patients, from 183,000 pounds per annum to, at most, 74,000 pounds. The analysis of routine discharge data since integrated stroke care was set up has shown that progress has been made in shifting the treatment of patients from the acute trust to the community hospital. The care of stroke patients in a GP-led community hospital is likely to reduce the use of scarce health service resources. Current evidence suggests that health outcomes are unchanged due to early discharge, but further research is required to ensure that patients' health status and quality of life are maintained before such a policy is widely adopted.     

Propensity score-matching analyses on the effectiveness of integrated prospective payment program for patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation

ObjectivesAn integrated delivery system with a prospective payment program (IPP) for prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) was launched by Taiwan's National Health Insurance (NHI) due to the costly and limited ICU resources. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of IPP and evaluate the factors associated with successful weaning and survival among patients with PMV.MethodsTaiwan's NHI Research Database was searched to obtain the data of patients aged ≥17 years who had PMV from 2006 to 2010 (N=50,570). A 1:1 propensity score matching approach was used to compare patients with and without IPP (N=30,576). Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to examine the factors related to successful weaning and survival.ResultsThe related factors of lower weaning rate in IPP participants (hazard ratio [HR]=0.84), were older age, higher income, catastrophic illness (HR=0.87), and higher comorbidity. The effectiveness of IPP intervention for the PMV patients showed longer days of hospitalization, longer ventilation days, higher survival rate, and higher medical costs (in respiratory care center, respiratory care ward). The 6-month mortality rate was lower (34.0% vs. 32.9%). The death risk of IPP patients compared to those non-IPP patients was lower (HR=0.91, P<0.001). Conclusions: The policy of IPP for PMV patients showed higher survival rate although it was costly and related to lower weaning rate.     

Exploring the changes of physicians' behaviour toward informal payment based on Health Transformation Plan in Iran: A qualitative study

By implementation of the Health Transformation Plan (HTP), a revised tariff system for healthcare services was executed in Iran. This study explores the changes in physicians' behaviour in facing informal payment (IP) based on HTP implementation in Iran. We conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with 15 purposefully selected physicians and policy makers to explore the changes (positive, negative and no) in physicians' behaviours with and without the implementation of HTP. The interviews were conducted individually and face to face. The conventional content analysis for data analysis by MAXQDA ver.10 was used. Based on the results, regardless of the HTP implemented, market competitiveness could control physicians' demand for IP. However, unreal tariffs, irregular payments, inflation, expensive healthcare and comparing income with other occupations increase physicians' demand for IP as negative behaviour. This study explored three patterns of physicians' behavioural change because of HTP implementation: 1—positive behavioural change with four factors; 2—negative behavioural changes with two factors; and 3—no behavioural change with four factors. Various factors influenced physicians' behaviour towards IP with and without the HTP. To combat IP more efficiently, we recommend strengthening the HTP's positive interventions, compensation of physicians' target income, enhancing supervision, reducing the gap among various medical specialities and taking a systematic approach with law offenders.     

不同医疗卫生机构的基本医疗保险支付方式选择模式探究

基于不同基本医疗保险支付方式的利弊分析、借鉴国外典型国家基本医疗保险支付方式,结合国内医疗卫生机构基本医疗保险支付方式的成功经验,探究不同医疗卫生机构的基本医疗保险支付方式选择模式。建议针对基层医疗卫生服务机构,采用总额预付制或按人头付费为主的方式;针对二级、三级综合医院,采用总额预付制为基础的,按病种付费为主,结合按人头付费、按服务项目付费和按床日付费等支付方式的医保支付模式;专科医院,采用总额控制下按病种付费和按床日付费相结合的支付模式。