DRG System Research Articles

How can we reduce healthcare costs by using Enhanced Recovery After Surgery more effectively in different groups of gynaecological patients? A single-centre experience.

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programme implementation on treatment costs at a university-type centre, using the DRG scheme. Retrospective analysis of patients' data in a group of 604 individuals enroled in the study. We evaluated three groups of patients according to the ERAS clinical protocol (CP): (1) CP oncogynaecology, (2) CP simple hysterectomy, (3) CP laparoscopy. The study aimed to evaluate the impact on the length of stay (LOS), savings in bed-days, and the reduction in direct treatment costs. Three parameters-antibiotic consumption, blood derivative consumption and laboratory test costs-were chosen to compare direct treatment costs. The statistical significance of the difference in the observed parameters was tested by a two-sample unpaired t test with unequal variances at the 0.05 significance level. We analysed data from 604 patients. In all three groups, the length of stay (LOS) was significantly reduced. The most significant reduction was observed in the CP oncogynaecology group, where the LOS was reduced from 11.1 days to 6.8 days (2022) and 7.6 days (2023) compared to 2019 (p < 0.05). Furthermore, there was a notable reduction in inpatient bed-days, which resulted in the capacity being made available to admit additional patients. A statistically significant reduction in direct costs was observed in the group of CP hysterectomy (antibiotic use) and in the CP laparoscopy (laboratory test costs). The implementation of the ERAS principles resulted in a number of significant positive economic impacts-reduction in the LOS and a corresponding increase in bed capacity for new patients. Additionally, direct treatment costs, including those related to antibiotic use or laboratory testing were reduced. The Czech Republic's acute healthcare system, like the majority of European healthcare systems, is financed by the DRG system. This flat-rate payment per patient encourages hospital management to seek cost-reduction strategies. The results of our study indicate that fast-track protocols represent a potential viable approach to reducing the cost of treatment while simultaneously meeting the recommendations of evidence-based medicine.

Achieving Robust Medical Coding in DRGs Systems: Innovative Actions Adopted in Greece.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate and illustrate the effectiveness of a specialized digital platform developed to improve the accuracy of medical coding during the full implementation of Greece's new DRG system, and to highlight innovative actions for achieving and/or improving accurate medical coding. Already grouped DRG cases recorded in the first DRG implementation year in the region of Crete were examined. A sample of 133,922 cases was analyzed and audited, through a process consisting of three stages: (i) digitalization, (ii) auditor training, and (iii) control and consultation. The results indicated that a significant proportion of DRG coding, with a length of stay exceeding one day, was reclassified into different DRG categories. This reclassification was primarily due to coding errors-such as the omission of secondary diagnoses, exclusion of necessary medical procedures, and the use of less specific codes-rather than mistakes in selecting the principal diagnosis. The study underscores the importance of medical coding control and consulting services. It demonstrates that targeted actions in these areas can significantly enhance the implementation of the DRG coding system. Accurate medical coding is crucial for transparent allocation of resources within hospitals, ensuring that hospital services and reimbursements are appropriately managed and allocated based on the true complexity and needs of patient cases.

Cost consequence model of the MammaPrint (70-gene signature) and 21-gene signature in patients with primary HR+HER2-, N1 early-stage breast cancer in Germany.

534 Background: The MammaPrint 70-gene and Oncotype DX 21-gene signatures serve to stratify breast cancer tumors, distinguishing between those with low or high risk of distant metastasis. Patients with a low genomic risk tumor have the option to avoid overtreatment by omitting chemotherapy and minimize associated toxicities. This analysis evaluates the economic impact of implementing MammaPrint, Oncotype DX (ODx), or no gene signature testing for patients with HR+ HER2- early breast cancer with 1 to 3 positive lymph nodes (N1) in Germany. Methods: We constructed a cost-consequence model to assess the budget implications of MammaPrint, ODx, and not employing a gene signature, considering both the healthcare payers and societal perspective. The model focuses on patients with HR+/HER2-/N1 breast tumors who, in the absence of a gene expression analysis, would receive chemotherapy in 63% of cases according to the data of the certified breast cancers in Germany. Input data were sourced from MINDACT, RxPONDER, literature, the EBM, the DRG system. The healthcare payer perspective covers testing, direct/indirect costs of chemotherapy, and disease recurrence costs. The societal perspective adds transport costs and productivity losses to these. Results: A projected 9,207 HR+/HER2-/N1 breast cancer patients were candidates for genomic testing. In MINDACT, patients were classified as MammaPrint Low Risk in 73% of cases, and in RxPONDER 83% of patients were categorized as ODx Low Risk (RS 0-25). The model demonstrated per patient savings from a healthcare payer perspective of €3.766 for MammaPrint and €900 for ODx compared to not using any gene signature for N1 breast cancer patients in Germany. Importantly, the savings are even more substantial from a societal perspective, reaching €11.815 for MammaPrint and €11.243 for ODx. When limiting the population to women &gt;50 years, similar results were observed with per patient savings from a payer perspective of €3.766 and €1.549, and from a societal perspective of €9.826 and €9.349, for MammaPrint and ODx, respectively. Conclusions: These data demonstrate that personalized treatment planning with genomic testing for breast cancer with HR+/HER2-/LN1 breast cancer, leads to a reduction in chemotherapy use and associated costs in Germany. Although MammaPrint designates a smaller proportion of genomically high risk patients compared to ODx, MammaPrint Low Risk patients without chemotherapy demonstrate higher survival outcomes. Consequently, any increased chemotherapy costs are offset by lower testing and distant recurrence expenses, making MammaPrint a cost-conscious option.

Advancements in the DRG system payment: an optimal volume/procedure mix model for the optimisation of the reimbursement in Italian healthcare organisations

Advancements in the DRG system payment: an optimal volume/procedure mix model for the optimisation of the reimbursement in Italian healthcare organisations

Use and outcome of TIPS in hospitalized patients in Germany: A Nationwide study (2007-2018).

The number of complications in patients admitted for cirrhosis has increased over time. Portal hypertension is the driver of many complications of cirrhosis. TIPS placement is the most effective treatment of portal hypertension. The aim of this study was to analyze the use and impact of TIPS placement in the last decade in a nationwide study in Germany. We analyzed 14,598 admissions of patients for TIPS insertions in Germany from 2007 to 2018 using the DRG system, 12,877 out of 2,000,765 total admissions of patients with cirrhosis. All diagnoses and procedures were coded according to ICD-10-CM and OPS codes. The data were analyzed, focusing on the number of admissions and in-hospital mortality. The number of TIPS placements increased over the last decade. In-hospital mortality of cirrhotic patients with TIPS decreased when it was placed for severe bleeding (15.2% [TIPS] vs. 19.5% [endoscopy treatment]), ascites (8.7% [TIPS] vs. 14.4% [paracentesis]), and hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) (17.1% [TIPS] vs. 43.3% [no-TIPS]). In the case of bleeding, TIPS significantly decreased in-hospital mortality and also in ascites and HRS. During hospitalization, 22.6% admissions of patients with TIPS insertion showed HE. However, in-hospital mortality in patients admitted with HE grades 1 or 2 and TIPS was lower than in patients without TIPS. In the logistic regression, a higher HE grade(3 and 4), infection, and circulatory disease were found to be independently associated with in-hospital mortality in patients with TIPS insertion. Our nationwide study demonstrates that TIPS insertion is increasingly used in Germany. TIPS improves outcomes, especially in patients with ascites and HRS, regardless of lower HE grades, while higher HE grades, infection, and circulatory diseases seem to be associated with risk of in-hospital mortality.

Epidemiology of liver transplantation and post-LT complications in Germany: nationwide study (2005-2018).

To date, liver transplantation (LT) is the only curative treatment for cirrhosis and early-diagnosed progressive acute liver failure (ALF). However, LT results in morbidities and mortality even post-LT. Different comorbidities may follow and further increase mortality and morbidity. In this study, we investigated the outcomes and their trends over a period of 14 years among hospitalized patients evaluated for LT, transplant and post-LT in Germany. This German nationwide study investigated the number of admissions of patients hospitalized for evaluation of LT and post-LT on related comorbidities and complications between 2005 and 2018 based on the DRG system with ICD-10/OPS codes. 14 745 patients were put on the LT waiting list and 12 836 underwent LT during the observational period. The LT number decreased by 2.3% over time, while the waiting list mortality rate increased by 5%. By contrast, the in-hospital mortality rate decreased by 3%, especially in ALF patients (decrease of 16%). Interestingly, admissions of post-LT patients for complications almost doubled, driven mainly by complications of immunosuppression (tripled). Importantly, post-LT patients with acute kidney injury (20.2%) and biliodigestive anastomosis (18.4%) showed the highest in-hospital mortality rate of all complications. In conclusion, the decrease in LT leads most probably to the increased in-hospital mortality of patients on the waiting list. Interestingly, in-hospital mortality decreased in LT patients. Post-LT comorbidities requiring hospitalization increased in the observational period and management of patients post-LT with AKI or biliodigestive anastomosis should be addressed.

Budget impact analysis of a bovine pericardial aortic bioprosthesis versus mechanical aortic valve replacement in adult patients with aortic stenosis in Romania

AimsAn analysis of the budget impact of using a bovine pericardial aortic bioprosthesis (BPAB) or a mechanical valve (MV) in aortic stenosis (AS) patients in Romania.Materials and methodsA decision-tree with a partitioned survival model was used to predict the financial outcomes of using either a BPAB (the Carpentier-Edwards Perimount Magna Ease Valve) or MV in aortic valve replacement (AVR) procedure over a 5-year period. The budget impact of various resource consumption including disabling strokes, reoperations, minor thromboembolic events, major bleeding, endocarditis, anticoagulation treatment and monitoring, and echocardiogram assessments were compared for both types of valves. One-way sensitivity analyses (OWSA) were conducted on the input costs and probabilities.ResultsThe use of BPAB compared to MV approaches budget neutrality due to incremental savings year-on-year. The initial surgical procedure and reoperation costs for BPAB are offset by savings in acenocoumarol use, disabling strokes, major bleeding, minor thromboembolic events, and anticoagulation complications. The cost of the initial procedure per patient is 460 euros higher for a BPAB due to the higher valve acquisition cost, although this is partially offset by a shorter hospital stay. The OWSA shows that the total procedure costs, including the hospital stay, are the primary cost drivers in the model.LimitationsResults are limited by cost data aggregation in the DRG system, exclusion of costs for consumables and capital equipment use, possible underestimation of outpatient complication costs, age-related variations of event rates, and valve durability.ConclusionsAdopting BPAB as a treatment option for AS patients in Romania can lead to cost savings and long-term economic benefits. By mitigating procedure costs and increasing anticoagulation treatment costs, BPAB offers a budget-neutral option that can help healthcare providers, policymakers, and patients alike manage the growing burden of AS in Romania.

ID: 203311 Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation Outcomes for The Treatment Of Osteoarthritic Mechanical Knee Pain

DRG stimulation (DRG-S) is a form of neuromodulation used to treat CRPS type I or II (causalgia) of the groin and lower extremities. However, there is growing evidence that this therapy works for other chronic pain conditions such as chronic axial low back pain, which is mechanical or mixed mechanical/neuropathic type pain. In addition, DRG-S has demonstrated analgesic effectiveness in osteoarthritic preclinical rat pain models of the knee with peripheral pathologic origins. This pilot study will evaluate outcomes of patients trialed and implanted with the ProclaimTM DRG System to treat mechanical knee pain secondary to osteoarthritis.

Solidarity with children and people with disabilities? : An economic analysis of reconstructive hip interventions in pediatric orthopedics

Brain damage in childhood can be caused cerebral palsy (CP) or be due to other diseases. Disturbance of muscle tone results in consecutive development of hip subluxation. Hip reconstructive surgery can significantly improve the mobility and quality of care of children. However, the DRG for surgical care of these conditions has been increasingly devalued. In Germany, this has already led to areduction of pediatric orthopedics departments, accompanied by an important risk of insufficient treatment options for children and people with disabilities. The aim of this retrospective study was an economic analysis of pediatric orthopedic interventions using the example of neurogenic hip decentration. For this purpose, the revenue-cost situation in patients with CP or other causes of brain damage was evaluated at amaximum care hospital in the period of 2019-2021. The entire analysis period showed adeficit. The non-CP-group showed the most important deficit. In CP-patients, however, the plus decreased each year and resulted in adeficit in 2021. While the distinction between cerebral palsy and other forms of brain damage in children is usually not relevant for treatment, it is evident that the non-CP group is massively underfinanced. Overall, the negative economic balance of pediatric orthopedics in the field of neurogenic hip reconstruction is clearly revealed. In the current interpretation of the DRG system, children with disabilities cannot be offered cost-effective care at amaximum-care university center.

General methodology for gas monitoring of cladding failure in sodium-cooled fast reactors

A gas detection system (DRG) is designed in the sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) to limit the release of fissile material into the coolant. The system monitors a fission gas signal in the cover gas resulting from a cladding failure. We developed a general methodology to describe the entire detection process, which can be applied to arbitrary SFRs with different fuel and core designs and contribute to the conception choice and optimization for future design. We defined a corresponding equation consisting of several modules, including fission gas quantity accumulated in the fuel gas plenum, the gas leakage flux through the crack, the transportation from the fuel pin to the detector, and the detector sensitivity to different isotopes. We presented a mathematical model to determine the fission gas activity in the detector as a function of the crack size on the cladding. The methodology is applied and modeled in the PHENIX reactor for illustration purposes. With the deduced methodology, we analyzed the entire system and discussed the future design of the DRG system.

Considerations for the Performance and Quality Assurance of Outpatient Surgery in Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery in Germany

German health policy has propagated an expansion of outpatient surgeries and procedures and initiated the discussion about this. Otorhinolaryngology, head and neck surgery offers opportunities to provide currently inpatient procedures on an outpatient basis. The German Society of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, and the German Professional Association of Otorhinolaryngologists established working groups to assess and evaluate the ENT-specific aspects of shifting services to the outpatient setting. The working groups were given the task of developing and considering organizational, structural and personnel definitions of quality assurance. Facts were determined in detail, which exclude an ambulatory operation in the ENT-specialty. This was based on both surgery-related and patient-related facts. Finally, operations were named which can be performed as outpatient operations. An evaluation was performed from the ENT specialist's perspective. A prerequisite for outpatient treatment is a reorganization of remuneration. The current DRG and EBM system do not provide a satisfactory framework for this, and the EBM does not allow for the economic provision of surgical interventions in otorhinolaryngology, head and neck surgery. The development of an appropriate financing model is as imperative for a successful implementation as the integration and financing of further training of ENT physicians.

Analysis of Efficency, Cost Structure and Revenues of ALT Free Flaps in Extremity Reconstruction

Microvascular reconstructions can be lengthy procedures lasting the entire day. As a result of unforeseeable events, the standardization of these procedures can be challenging. Moreover, the length of these procedures varies strongly, which impedes adequate scheduling and, therefore, optimal capacity utilization. Within the years 2018-2020, the duration of ALT free flap extremity reconstructions was correlated with the experience of the microsurgeon (category 1:<50 free flaps life-time experience, category 2: 50-200, category 3:>200) and comorbidities. The resulting costs were compared with the matrix of the German DRG Institute InEK. The surgical experience of the microsurgeon had a significant impact on the duration of surgery in extremity reconstruction. In due consideration of potential complications, category 2 microsurgeons were 45 minutes faster and category 3 microsurgeons were 167 minutes faster than category 1 microsurgeons. Comorbidities, by contrast, did not have a significant impact on procedure duration. Cost analysis revealed deficits for these procedures in relation to the InEK matrix. However, an additional analysis showed that the duration of surgery was within the German average while costs for personnel/OR minute were slightly below the average. According to this calculation, costs for microsurgical training were approximately 1000€/case. The reimbursement for flaps in extremity reconstruction is not entirely mapped in the German DRG system. Given the longer procedure times, microsurgical training is associated with higher costs. Defining the duration of microsurgery based on the level of expertise should result in improved adherence to schedule and more efficient utilization of the valuable operating room time.

Posterior Cervical Fusion for Fracture Is Not the Same as Fusion for Degenerative Cervical Spine Disease: Implications for a Bundled Payment Model.

Retrospective. To understand differences in 30-day outcomes between patients undergoing posterior cervical fusion (PCF) for fracture versus degenerative cervical spine disease. Current bundled payment models for cervical fusions, such as the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement revolve around the use of diagnosis-related groups to categorize patients for reimbursement purposes. Though a PCF performed for a fracture may have a different postoperative course of care as compared with a fusion being done for degenerative cervical spine pathology, the current DRG system does not differentiate payments based on the indication/cause of surgery. The 2012-2017 American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program was queried using Current Procedural Terminology code 22600 to identify patients receiving elective PCFs. Multivariate analyses were used to compare rates of 30-day severe adverse events, minor adverse events, readmissions, length of stay, and nonhome discharges between the 2 groups. A total 2546 (91.4%) PCFs were performed for degenerative cervical spine pathology and 240 (8.6%) for fracture. After adjustment for differences in baseline clinical characteristics, patients undergoing a PCF for a fracture versus degenerative pathology had higher odds of severe adverse events [18.8% vs. 10.6%, odds ratio (OR): 1.65 (95% CI, 1.10-2.46); P =0.015], prolonged length of stay >3 days [54.2% vs. 40.5%, OR: 1.93 (95% CI, 1.44-2.59); P <0.001], and nonhome discharges [34.2% vs. 27.6%, OR: 1.54 (95% CI, 1.10-2.17); P =0.012]. Patients undergoing PCFs for fracture have significant higher rates of postoperative adverse events and greater resource utilization as compared with individuals undergoing elective PCF for degenerative spine pathology. The study calls into question the need of risk adjustment of bundled prices based on indication/cause of the surgery to prevent the creation of a financial disincentive when taking care/performing surgery in spinal trauma patients.

Cost-efficiency of ascites treatment in the G-DRG system

In Germany, around 1,000,000 people are affected by cirrhosis of the liver, with ascites being a common consequence. Hospitals are caught between the opposing aims of profitability and patient-centered treatment as a result of the increasing compression of services in hospitals and the increasing economization in the healthcare sector. Treatment costs are a crucial starting point for optimizing success and the optimal use of resources, given the restricted revenue flexibility due to established flat charges per case. The goal of this study is to examine the exact cost and income structures for ascites therapy at a university hospital that specializes in liver diseases. The treatment data of 778 patients admitted to the University Hospital Aachen's Department of Internal Medicine III between 2016 and 2019 were retrospectively and anonymously evaluated for this study. The revenue shares of the matrix of cost centers and cost types of the German Diagnosis-Related Groups (G-DRG) system were compared to the revenue shares of the specified services in the context of activity-based costing. Inadequate refinancing was discovered in every area of the therapy process that was investigated. As a result, the treatment of ascites in cirrhosis is currently underrepresented in the DRG system. This is owing to the fact that patients treated at the university hospital have a greater case severity.

The Usefulness of ERAS Concepts for Colorectal Resections - an Economic Analysis under DRG Conditions

ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) describes a multimodal, interdisciplinary and interprofessional treatment concept that optimizes the postoperative convalescence of the patient through the use of evidence-based measures. The aim of this article is to examine the economic feasibility of the concept in the German DRG system. Since August 2019, patients have been treated in our clinic according to the later certified ERAS concept. The last 20 patients before ERAS implementation are compared below with 20 patients after ERAS implementation, who were identified using a matched pair analysis. In addition to the comparison of costs and revenues, the clinical outcome of the patients is also presented. The cases of the patients in the pre-ERAS cohort caused median costs of € 7432.83. BWR of 3.38 were billable. The resulting DRG revenue for the patients in this group amounted to € 11325.78. The proceeds generated in the end amounted to € 4575.14. The cases of patients in the ERAS cohort resulted in costs of € 5582.96. BWR of 2.84 could be billed. The DRG proceeds for the patients in this group therefore amounted to € 10014.18. The profit generated was thus € 4993.84. The cost reduction generated by ERAS was comparable to the "loss" caused by the BWR decrease. ERAS is therefore also possible to cover costs in the German DRG system.

Health Economic Challenge: Geriatric Trauma-An Age-Based Observational Analysis of Treatment Costs and Reimbursement Issues.

Demographic change is having a major impact on the economic and structural development of the healthcare system. People stay active longer and the number of mild traumatic brain injury [mTBI] in patients ≥ 65 years of age consequently increases. The aim of this comparative analysis is to illustrate the impact of demographic change and the increasing treatment of geriatric trauma patients on the cost structure of the health care system using mTBI as an example diagnosis. Patients and Methods: The 12-month retrospective analysis included 220 in-patients treated with mTBI and remunerated under the German Diagnosis Related Group [G-DRG] B80Z. For comparative analysis, the patient population was divided into two study groups according to age [U65 18–64 years, G65 ≥ 65 years]. For the cost and proceeds calculation, itemized cost reports (personnel, supply, material, and equipment costs, etc.) were created. Results: 163 patients U65 and 57 patients G65 were included. In the G65 group, the most frequent accident mechanism was a fall from a short distance (84.1 vs. U65 36.7%; p = 0.007). For the inpatient admission of G65, the use of anticoagulants (p < 0.001) and comorbidity (p = 0.002) played a primary role, while for younger patients it was more neurological symptoms (p < 0.001) and alcohol (p < 0.001) that led to inpatient monitoring. The mean length of hospitalization of G65 patients was significantly longer than that of younger patients (G65 2.4 ± 1.9 days > U65 1.7 ± 0.8 days; p = 0.007) and radiological examinations (G65 94.7% > U65 23.3%; p = 0.013) were performed more frequently. Comparing analysis of the cost and proceeds of U65 vs. G65 results in a proceeds difference of €51,753.91 per year for the G-DRG B80Z compared to U65. Conclusions: It has been shown that there is a difference in costs and proceeds when comparing younger and older patients, resulting in a reimbursement deficit. In view of the demographic development in Europe, flat-rate remuneration will lead to a considerable discrepancy between DRG reimbursement and the coverage of hospitals’ running costs. Providing health care to an increasingly aging society represents one of the major personnel and financial challenges for the public health system in the coming decades. Further adaptation of the DRG system to the growing costs caused by older patients is imperative.

ICD-11 Morbidity Pilot in Kuwait: Methodology and Lessons Learned for Future Implementation.

This paper reports on the first ICD-11 morbidity pilot for inpatient discharges in a public general hospital. We detail the pilot methodology, lessons learned in terms of facilitators and challenges, physician-reported opinion, and considerations for future implementation. The pilot included: engaging stakeholders; selecting the setting; building a common understanding of the discharge process; evaluating and preparing IT infrastructure; ICD-11 training; small-scale pre-pilot testing; implementing the pilot while providing on-site support and collecting data for analysis including a brief user-experience survey. Overall, physicians were satisfied with the experience. Facilitators for success included national health system influence, leadership commitment, a multidisciplinary team approach, physician-tailored training, using social media for training, and providing on-site support. Challenges included potential IT problems, and difficulties relating to training and engaging physicians. Issues to consider include DRG system requirements, and comparability of ICD-11 pilot results from different countries. In conclusion, ICD-11 can be successfully implemented for documenting diagnoses by physicians in a public hospital by installing the coding tool on the electronic hospital information system. Pilots can improve ICD-11 content by using the online proposal mechanism. Implementing ICD-11 requires effective change management, stakeholder-tailored communication, and innovative ideas for training to match the electronic nature of ICD-11 and its potential new users, physicians.

Rechtliche Rahmenbedingungen, Qualitätssicherungsprogramme, Zertifizierungen, DRGs, OPS, Pflege als Therapie

The establishment of structural and minimum features within the DRG system by the operations and procedure key (OPS) gave the neurological early rehabilitation phase B a definitional framework and ensured standardization. In the field of nursing, it has given rise to a new self-image and a boost to interdisciplinarity. The assignment of patients at the interface between acute inpatient treatment and rehabilitation remains problematic. The article gives an overview of the regulatory framework

Left atrial appendage closure with the watchman device reduces atrial fibrillation management costs.

To report hospitalization costs of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) submitted to percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) with the Watchman device. Pre- and post-procedural hospitalization AF-related costs were calculated using the DRG system (diagnosis-related groups) and compared. Between 2012 and 2016, 677 non-valvular AF patients underwent LAAC. Median time from first cardiac hospitalization to LAAC was 5.9years (IQR 1.6-9.1) and median follow-up after LAAC was 4.8years (IQR 3.6-5.6). LAAC mortality was 1.3% and follow-up mortality 16.9%. Median pre-LAAC hospitalization cost was € 17,867 (IQR € 7512-35,08) and post-LAAC € 8772 (IQR € 1183-25,159) (p < 0.0001). Annualized cost pre-LAAC was 3773 € (IQR € 1644-8,493) and post-LAAC 2,001 € (IQR € 260-6913) (p < 0.0001). Follow-up survivors had significantly lower post-LAAC costs (p < 0.0001) and after a survival cut-off time of 4.6years LAAC procedural and post-procedural hospitalization costs achieved parity with pre-LACC costs (AUC 0.64; p = 0.02). CHA2DS2-VASc score (B = 0.04; p = 0.02; 95% CI 0.006-0.08), and HAS-BLED score (B = 0.08; p = 0.004; 95% CI 0.02-0.14) were independent determinants for annualized hospitalization costs post-LAAC. At Cox-regression analysis the DRG mean clinical complexity level (CCL) was the only independent determinant for follow-up mortality (OR = 2.2; p < 0.0001; 95% CI 1.6-2.8) with a cut-off value of 2.25 to predict follow-up mortality (AUC 0.72; p < 0.0001; Spec. 70%; Sens. 70%). Hospitalization costs pre-LAAC are consistent, and after LAAC, they are significantly reduced. Costs seem related to the patient's risk profile at the time of the procedure. With the increase in post-LAAC survival time, the procedure becomes economically more profitable.

The sensitivity of hospital coding to prices: evidence from Indonesia

This study examines a newly introduced DRG system in Indonesia. We use secondary data for 2015 and 2017 from Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional (JKN), a patient level dataset for Indonesia created in 2014 to record public and private hospitals’ claims to the national health insurance system to investigate whether there is an association between changes in tariffs paid and the severity of inpatient activity recorded in hospitals. We find a consistent small, positive and statistically significant correlation between changes in tariffs and changes in concentration of activity, indicating discretionary but limited coding behaviour by hospitals. The results indicate that reducing price differentials may mitigate discretionary coding, but that the benefits of this are limited and need to be compared to the potential risk of having to rebase all prices upwards.