Predicted Cost Analysis for Solid Organ Transplantation in Private Practice in Greece

Abstract

Introduction: Involvement of the private health sector in the field of solid organ transplantation was enabled by law for the first time in Greece in 2011. An analysis of the predicted cost of initiating a transplant program, especially considering the country's current austerity, is of vital importance before launching such an attempt. Methods: A detailed material and transportation cost analysis was performed. The budget units under consideration were pre-transplant patient evaluation, operative procedure (organ procurement & transplantation), and uneventful postoperative course for kidney (6 days) and liver (15 days) transplantation. Surgeons' fees and calculated profit for the providing private healthcare company were not included in the study. Results:Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first cost analysis of solid organ transplantation procedures in private practice in Greece. Given the recent failure of introducing diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) within the framework of the country's public health sector, this study currently depicts the only opportunity for ascertainment of expenses in the field of transplantation. Furthermore, it strengthens the argument for Greek patients avoiding expensive treatment abroad and even more, it opens the perspective of foreign patients undergoing cost-effective treatment in Greece.