Déterminants des coûts directs de la maladie en soins ambulatoires dans les ménages à Kinshasa analyse comptable et économétrique / Determinants of the direct costs of the disease in outpatient care in households in Kinshasa: accounting and econometric analysis

Contexte et objectif. Avec une grande majorité d'habitants sans couverture-maladie, l'inaccessibilité aux soins pour manque d'argent est un problème réel parmi les habitants de Kinshasa en raison des paiements directs. La présente étude a évalué le coût direct de la maladie du point de vue des ménages et identifié les facteurs déterminants dudit coût. Méthodes. Une enquête a été menée dans la commune de Limete auprès de 150 ménages choisis de manière aléatoire dans huit quartiers. Les données collectées ont été soumises d'abord à un traitement comptable, puis à l'analyse statistique et à l'analyse économétrique. Résultats. Le coût total direct moyen était de 145.258,88 CDF (environ 88 US $) par épisode-patient en ambulatoires. Dominés largement par les médicaments, les frais médicaux représentent 86,57 % du total (76 US $) contre 13,43 % de frais non médicaux (12 US $). Excepté la consultation, les autres frais médicaux influent positivement sur le total des frais médicaux. De même, tous les frais non médicaux, sauf les frais d'appel téléphonique, influent sur le total des frais non médicaux. Conclusion. Le coût médical en ambulatoire par patient-épisode est dominé à 65 % par les frais de médicaments mais dont l'impact sur le coût médical de la maladie reste plus faible.

Early Hospital Readmission (EHR) in kidney transplantation: a review article / Readmissão Hospitalar Precoce no transplante renal: artigo de revisão

Abstract Early hospital readmission (EHR), defined as all readmissions within 30 days of initial hospital discharge, is a health care quality measure. It is influenced by the demographic characteristics of the population at risk, the multidisciplinary approach for hospital discharge, the access, coverage, and comprehensiveness of the health care system, and reimbursement policies. EHR is associated with higher morbidity, mortality, and increased health care costs. Monitoring EHR enables the identification of hospital and outpatient healthcare weaknesses and the implementation of corrective interventions. Among kidney transplant recipients in the USA, EHR ranges between 18 and 47%, and is associated with one-year increased mortality and graft loss. One study in Brazil showed an incidence of 19.8% of EHR. The main causes of readmission were infections and surgical and metabolic complications. Strategies to reduce early hospital readmission are therefore essential and should consider the local factors, including socio-economic conditions, epidemiology and endemic diseases, and mobility.

Resumo A Readmissão Hospitalar Precoce (RH), definida como todas as readmissões dentro de 30 dias após a alta hospitalar inicial, é uma métrica da qualidade hospitalar. É influenciada pelas características demográficas da população em risco, pela abordagem multidisciplinar da alta hospitalar inicial, pelo acesso, pela cobertura e pela abrangência do Sistema de Saúde e pelas políticas de reembolso. A readmissão hospitalar precoce está associada a maior morbidade, mortalidade e aumento dos custos com saúde. O monitoramento da RH permite a identificação das fragilidades hospitalares e ambulatoriais e a implementação de intervenções corretivas. Entre os receptores de transplante renal nos EUA, a RH varia entre 18% e 47% e está associada a maior mortalidade e perda do enxerto no primeiro ano do transplante. Um estudo no Brasil mostrou uma incidência de 19,8% de RH. As principais causas de readmissão foram infecções e complicações cirúrgicas e metabólicas. As estratégias para reduzir a readmissão hospitalar precoce são, portanto, essenciais e devem considerar o ambiente local, incluindo condições socioeconômicas, epidemiologia local, doenças e mobilidade endêmicas.

Household Out-of-Pocket Payments and Trend in Korea / 보건행정학회지

After the announcement of Moon Jae-in Government's plan (Moon's Care) for Benefit Expansion in National Health Insurance in August 2017, it is necessary to monitor the effects of the policy, especially household out-of-pocket payments (OOP). This paper aims to observe the current status and trend of OOP in Korea. Current health expenditure (CHE) was 144.4 trillion won in 2018, which accounts for 8.1% of gross domestic product (GDP) increased 9.7% from the previous year. Although GDP's share of CHE has been close to the average of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries, the public fund's share was 59.8% of the total in 2018, which was lower than the OECD average of 73.5%. OOP's share was 32.9% in 2018, which decreased from 37.4% in 2008. The share of OOP of non-covered services was 20.0% in 2018, which decreased from 22.9% in 2008. The share of cost-sharing with third-party payers was 12.9% in 2018, which decreased from 14.5% in 2008. The OOP of non-covered services was significantly decreased in hospital and inpatient curative care, but the OOP of non-covered services was significantly increased in the medical clinic. The effect of Moon's Care was not showed in OOP through the results of 2017 and 2018, but further monitoring is needed because the Moon's Care is progressing and the observational period is short.

Academic Medicine Is Patient–Centered Medicine / 의학교육논단

The tripartite mission of 'academic medicine is education, research, and patient care. Academic medical centers (AMCs) are carrying out the mission and ultimately aiming to improve the health of people and communities. Globally, AMCs are facing a tremendous financial risk stemming from the changes in health insurance reimbursement plans and a shortage of human resources. Innovative AMCs in the United States are trying to transform their physician-centered, and siloed structure into a patient-centered, and integrated structure. They are also building integrated systems with primary healthcare groups to provide continuous patient care from primary to tertiary levels and making strategic networks based on value-based payment and the patient-centered model. These changes have been proven to improve outcomes of patient care and increase fiscal revenues, which are both crucial in supporting education and research. To address the shortage of human resources, programs are being built to develop newly appointed faculty for the future. AMCs have different approaches to bringing changes into their organizations; however, there is a common emphasis on 'a patient-centered approach,' which helps them set more explicit organizational values and make strategic decisions based on their values. Korean AMCs are facing similar challenges to AMCs in the United States in spite of many differences between the countries' healthcare systems. The innovative efforts of AMCs in the United States to address the challenges will be helpful, well-worked examples for Korean AMCs with similar challenges.

Descriptive Study on the Korean Status of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Using National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort (NHIS-NSC) Database: Focused on Temporal Trend

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is an indispensable treatment modality in coronary artery disease. However, there is still inadequacy of comprehensive knowledge on the Korean status and trend of this important procedure using nation-wide and representative data. METHODS: National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort is a database containing demographic, health insurance reimbursement for patient management and health screening data of about one million Koreans for 12 years (2002–2013). Annual procedure rate for PCI was estimated by bootstrapping as per 100,000 person-years. RESULTS: Among the whole cohort, total 12,186 PCI's were done during the study period. Mean age of subjects who underwent PCI was 57.6±11.2 years and male:female proportion was 68%:32%. Death from all cause occurred in 1,843 (15.1%), death from ischemic heart diseases in 662 (5.4%), death from all cardiovascular cause in 872 (7.2%) during the follow-up. The proportion of the primary PCI for acute myocardial infarction was estimated to be 24.0%. Estimated annual rate of PCI increased from median 29.1 (95% confidence interval [CI], 26.6–32.1) in 2002 to 107.7 (95% CI, 103.0–113.8) per 100,000 person-years in 2013. In this cohort, PCI was performed in total 180 hospitals, which annually increased from 59 in 2002 to 153 in 2013. CONCLUSIONS: PCI had increased in volume from 2002 to 2013. This descriptive data may be considered in policy making and planning further direction of management of coronary artery disease in Korea.

Comparative analysis of private retail community pharmacies' participation in the national health insurance scheme of Nigeria and Ghana: implications for access to essential medicines

BACKGROUND: Frequent stock-out of drugs in the public hospitals causes National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) enrollees to purchase most of their medicines out-of-pocket in community pharmacies, thereby imposing financial constraints on them against the main objective of the scheme. The objectives of this study were to determine and compare the level of participation of private retail community pharmacies (PRCPs) in the NHIS of Nigeria and Ghana, to describe their spatial distribution, and to highlight from literature major factors that would influence the participation of these pharmacies in the scheme. METHODS: PRCPs data were collected from the Nigerian NHIS active secondary healthcare providers list of 1st July 2017 and the Ghanaian NHIS active providers online list of 2018. PRCPs densities at the national levels were calculated from last published national coverage data for each country. RESULTS: The total number of PRCP accredited by NHIS of both Nigeria and Ghana is 964(639[66.3% versus 325[33.7%]). NHIS accredited PRCPs densities for Nigeria and Ghana were 1 PRCP per 9, 390 enrollees and 1 PRCP per 33, 108 enrollees respectively. Across the Nigerian States, it was noted that Lagos State has the highest proportion (21.4%, n = 137) of community pharmacy participation in the scheme whereas, in Ghan, Greater Accra Region has the highest participation (34.2%, n = 111). CONCLUSION: This study revealed low participation of PRCPs and skewed spatial distribution between urban and rural areas of both countries, although there was higher participation of these pharmacies in Nigeria due to Nigerian lower NHIS coverage data compared to Ghana

Análisis de costo-utilidad en Colombia del tratamiento integral del carcinoma de seno con reconstrucción inmediata frente a la reconstrucción diferida / Immediate versus delayed breast reconstruction in breast cancer patients in Colombia: A costutility analysis

Resumen Introducción. La reconstrucción mamaria inmediata o diferida hace parte del tratamiento del cáncer de mama. Cada país y sistema de salud costea y evalúa estos procedimientos de forma diferente. Es importante determinar cuál estrategia resulta de mayor costo-utilidad en Colombia. Objetivo. Evaluar la costo-utilidad del tratamiento del cáncer de mama con reconstrucción inmediata, comparada con la reconstrucción diferida. Materiales y métodos. Se utilizó un modelo de árbol de decisiones con un plazo previsto de un año desde la perspectiva del tercer pagador. Los datos de costos se tomaron del manual tarifario del Instituto de Seguros Sociales de 2001 más un ajuste del 30 % según la metodología del Instituto de Evaluación Tecnológica en Salud y el modelo de facturación del Centro Javeriano de Oncología del Hospital Universitario San Ignacio. Las probabilidades de transición y las utilidades se obtuvieron de médicos especialistas, de las pacientes y de la literatura médica. Se hicieron los análisis univariado y probabilístico de sensibilidad. Resultados. Los costos esperados per cápita fueron de COP$ 26'710.605 (USD$ 11.165) para la reconstrucción inmediata y de COP$ 6'459.557 (USD$ 11.060) para la diferida. La reconstrucción inmediata generó un costo incremental de COP$ 251.049 (USD$ 105), así como 0,75 años de vida ajustados por calidad (AVAC), en tanto que la diferida generó 0,63 AVAC, con una relación de costoutilidad incremental de COP $2'154.675 por AVAC (USD$ 901). Conclusiones. El costo por AVAC no superó el umbral de aceptabilidad del producto interno bruto (PIB) per cápita. Los costos durante el primer año resultaron similares y ambas técnicas son favorables para el sistema de salud colombiano, pero la utilidad de la reconstrucción inmediata reportada por los pacientes y en la literatura médica, es mayor.

Abstract Introduction. Breast reconstruction, either immediate or delayed, is part of the treatment of breast cancer. Each country and health system pays for and evaluates these procedures in different ways. Thus, it is important to determine which strategy is most cost-effective in Colombia. Objective: To evaluate the cost-utility of breast cancer treatment with immediate reconstruction compared with delayed reconstruction. Materials and methods: We used a decision tree model and a one-year time horizon from the perspective of the third-party payer; the cost data were taken from the Colombian Instituto de Seguros Sociales 2001 rate manual plus a 30% adjustment according to the methodology of the Instituto de Evaluación Tecnológica en Salud, IETS, and the billing model of the Centro Javeriano de Oncología at the Hospital Universitario San Ignacio. The transition probabilities and profits were obtained from medical specialists, patients, and the medical literature. We also conducted univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Results: The expected costs per capita were COP$ 26,710,605 (USD$ 11,165) for the immediate reconstruction and COP$ 26,459,557 (USD$ 11,060) for the deferred reconstruction. Immediate reconstruction generated an incremental cost of COP$ 251,049 (USD$ 105) and 0.75 quality-adjusted life years (QALY), while deferred reconstruction generated 0.63 QALYs, with an incremental cost-utility ratio of COP$ 2,154,675 per QALY (USD$ 901). Conclusions: The cost per QALY did not exceed the acceptability threshold of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita. The costs for the first year were similar. Both techniques are favorable for the Colombian health system, but the utility reported by patients and the literature is greater with the immediate reconstruction.

Improvement of Glycosylated Hemoglobin in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus under Insulin Treatment by Reimbursement for Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose

BACKGROUND: In Korea, the costs associated with self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) under insulin treatment have been reimbursed since November 2015. We investigated whether this new reimbursement program for SMBG has improved the glycemic control in the beneficiaries of this policy. METHODS: Among all adult T2DM patients with ≥3 months of reimbursement (n=854), subjects without any changes in anti-hyperglycemic agents during the study period were selected. The improvement of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was defined as an absolute reduction in HbA1c ≥0.6% or an HbA1c level at follow-up < 7%. RESULTS: HbA1c levels significantly decreased from 8.5%±1.3% to 8.2%±1.2% during the follow-up (P < 0.001) in all the study subjects (n=409). Among them, 35.5% (n=145) showed a significant improvement in HbA1c. Subjects covered under the Medical Aid system showed a higher prevalence of improvement in HbA1c than those with medical insurance (52.2% vs. 33.3%, respectively, P=0.012). In the improvement group, the baseline HbA1c (P < 0.001), fasting C-peptide (P=0.016), and daily dose of insulin/body weight (P=0.024) showed significant negative correlations with the degree of HbA1c change. Multivariate analysis showed that subjects in the Medical Aid system were about 2.5-fold more likely to improve in HbA1c compared to those with medical insurance (odds ratio, 2.459; 95% confidence interval, 1.138 to 5.314; P=0.022). CONCLUSION: The reimbursement for SMBG resulted in a significant improvement in HbA1c in T2DM subjects using insulin, which was more prominent in subjects with poor glucose control at baseline or covered under the Medical Aid system.

Determination of Health Insurance Fee Schedule and Strengthening Policy for Health Insurance Coverage / 대한내과학회지

The resource-based relative value scale (RBRVS) was introduced in Korea as a payment system in 2001. However, the health insurance fee schedule had many problems. Unbalanced insurance fee schedules still occur, and the relative value was not divided between physicians' work and practice expenses. Furthermore, malpractice fees were not included in the total RBRVS. The first refinement project of the health insurance relative value scales was conducted in 2003 and the second project started in 2010. In the first project, final relative values were calculated under budget neutrality by medical departments, and imbalances within the departments were resolved. However, imbalances still existed between departments. In the second project, final relative values were classified and computed by the type of medical treatment. The final RBRVS has been applied step by step since 2017 and the imbalance problem of the insurance fee schedule has been partially resolved. The government recently announced strengthening the plan for health insurance coverage. The current coverage rate for total medical costs by national health insurance is 63%. The purpose of this plan was to increase the coverage rate by up to 70%. The government has suggested detailed plans but there remain many controversial issues and limitations with regard to the practical aspects. Thus, further research and suggestions are needed.

Stakeholder perceptions on the challenges of financing debilitating illnesses: The case of colorectal cancer and schizophrenia in the Philippines

BACKGROUND: There is a perceived need among policymakers and other actors in the local health system to better address the challenges in financing healthcare, in general, and chronic or debilitating conditions, in particular, in order to develop appropriate policy and program responses.OBJECTIVE: This paper aimed to present perceived issues and challenges in financing schizophrenia and colorectal cancer in the Philippine context, as identified by stakeholders.METHODS: Verbatim transcription of the proceedings of a moderated discussion of stakeholders in schizophrenia and colorectal cancer care was analyzed for themes on challenges and recommendations in the financing of the two conditions in the local setting.RESULTS: A total of 28 stakeholders representing healthcare providers, professional organizations, health maintenance organizations, patient support groups, and government participated in the meeting. Three main issues on financing debilitating conditions were identified by participants: a) government support for the two conditions is currently limited; b) coverage by third-party payors for schizophrenia or colorectal cancer is either absent or restricted; and c) the process of accessing medicines or alternative modes of financing for healthcare was perceived to be disparate and inconvenient for patients and their caregivers. Participants also provided recommendations in improving the mechanism of healthcare financing.CONCLUSION: The general picture that emerged from this moderated discussion pointed to limitations in the prevailing mechanisms for financing schizophrenia and colorectal cancer in the Philippines. Improvements in the current financing mechanisms, and identification of alternative modes, is necessary to ensure universal health coverage.

Influence of the Angelina Jolie Announcement and Insurance Reimbursement on Practice Patterns for Hereditary Breast Cancer / 한국유방암학회지

Lack of awareness, the stigma of carrying a genetic mutation, and economic factors are barriers to acceptance of BRCA genetic testing or appropriate risk management. We aimed to investigate the influence of Angelina Jolie's announcement of her medical experience and also health insurance reimbursement for BRCA gene testing on practice patterns for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC). A survey regarding changes in practice patterns for HBOC before and after the announcement was conducted online. The rate of BRCA gene testing was obtained from the National Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database. From May to August 2016, 70 physicians responded to the survey. Genetic testing recommendations and prophylactic management were increased after the announcement. Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy and contralateral prophylactic mastectomy was significantly increased in BRCA carriers with breast cancer. The BRCA testing rate increased annually. Health insurance and a celebrity announcement were associated with increased genetic testing.

Anesthesia for ambulatory surgery / 대한마취과학회지

Ambulatory anesthesia allows quick recovery from anesthesia, leading to an early discharge and rapid resumption of daily activities, which can be of great benefit to patients, healthcare providers, third-party payers, and hospitals. Recently, with the development of minimally invasive surgical techniques and short-acting anesthetics, the use of ambulatory surgery has grown rapidly. Additionally, as the indications for ambulatory surgery have widened, the surgical methods have become more complex and the number of comorbidities has increased. For successful and safe ambulatory anesthesia, the anesthesiologist must consider various factors relating to the patient. Among them, appropriate selection of patients and surgical and anesthetic methods, as well as postoperative management, should be considered simultaneously. Patient selection is a particularly important factor. Appropriate surgical and anesthetic techniques should be used to minimize postoperative complications, especially postoperative pain, nausea, and vomiting. Patients and their caregivers should be fully informed of specific care guidelines and appropriate responses to emergency situations on discharge from the hospital. During this process, close communication between patients and medical staff, as well as postoperative follow-up appointments, should be ensured. In summary, safe and convenient methods to ensure the patient's return to function and recovery are necessary.

Standardization of Type 2 Diabetes Outpatient Expenditure with Bundled Payment Method in China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>In recent years, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes among Chinese population has been increasing by years, directly leading to an average annual growth rate of 19.90% of medical expenditure. Therefore, it is urgent to work on strategies to control the growth of medical expenditure on type 2 diabetes on the basis of the reality of China. Therefore, in this study, we explored the feasibility of implementing bundled payment in China through analyzing bundled payment standards of type 2 diabetes outpatient services.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study analyzed the outpatient expenditure on type 2 diabetes with Beijing Urban Employee's Basic Medical Insurance from 2010 to 2012. Based on the analysis of outpatient expenditure and its influential factors, we adopted decision tree approach to conduct a case-mix analysis. In the end, we built a case-mix model to calculate the standard expenditure and the upper limit of each combination.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>We found that age, job status, and whether with complication were significant factors that influence outpatient expenditure for type 2 diabetes. Through the analysis of the decision tree, we used six variables (complication, age, diabetic foot, diabetic nephropathy, cardiac-cerebrovascular disease, and neuropathy) to group the cases, and obtained 11 case-mix groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>We argued that it is feasible to implement bundled payment on type 2 diabetes outpatient services. Bundled payment is effective to control the increase of outpatient expenditure. Further improvements are needed for the implementation of bundled payment reimbursement standards, together with relevant policies and measures.</p>

Art Therapy and Hospice & Palliative Care in Korea / 한국호스피스완화의료학회지

In Korea, modern art therapy was developed in the 1960s and 1970s in the form of supplementary activities for patients in psychiatry. Along with the foundation of the Korean Association for Clinical Art in 1982 by psychiatric doctors, the therapy involved more various arts forms such as music, art, dance, poetry therapy, and psychodrama. More organizations with specific expertise opened such as the Korean Art Therapy Association, Korean Art Therapy Association, etc. in the 1990s and the Korea Arts Therapy Institute in 2001. As of April 2015, the members of the Korean Art Therapy Association total 15,000, including 6,200 regular members. The arts in integrative arts therapy (IAT) is an individual's creative activity which is related to his inner world, and the forms of IAT include music, drawing, dance and poetry therapy. From the aspect of phenomenology, IAT is psychophysical therapy involving the arts that helps patients recognize and perceive their experiences with an aim of at a recovery of the body and creativity from the phenomenological aspect. It is also a therapeutic activity that targets growth and development of the body and mind. Meta-analysis of the effects of art therapy with a focus on that involving music, drawing, dance movement and IAT in recent years in Korea, significant effects were observed in all factors but physical function. The biggest effect was mentality adaptation followed by activity adaptation and physiology. In the run up to the implementation of the daily flat-rate system for the health insurance reimbursement for palliative care in July 2015, the Ministry of Health and Welfare is reviewing the coverage of music therapy, drawing therapy and flower therapy, which are currently practiced by 56 hospice institutes in Korea. This is a meaningful step because the coverage of hospice and palliative care came after that of art therapy for psychiatric patients was approved in 1977. Still, there is a need clarify the therapeutic mechanism by exploring causality among the treatment media, mediation type and treatment effects. To address the issue of indiscriminately issued licenses, more efforts are needed to ensure expertise and identity of the licensed therapists through education, training and supervision.

ErbB2+ metastatic breast cancer treatment after progression on trastuzumab: a cost-effectiveness analysis for a developing country / Tratamientos para cáncer de seno metastásico ErbB2+ en progresión Post-Trastuzumab: Análisis de costo-efectividad para un país en vía de desarrollo

Objective Breast cancer (BC) and metastatic breast cancer (MBC) are significant causes of deaths amongst women worldwide, including developing countries. The cost of treatment in the latter is even more of an issue than in higher income countries. ErbB2 overexpression is a marker of poor prognosis and the goal for targeted therapy. This study was aimed at evaluating the cost-effectiveness in Colombia of ErbB2+ MBC treatment after progression on trastuzumab. Methods A decision analytic model was constructed for evaluating such treatment in a hypothetical cohort of ErbB2+MBC patients who progressed after a first scheme involving trastuzumab. The alternatives compared were lapatinib+capecitabine (L+C), and trastuzumab+a chemotherapy agent (capecitabine, vinorelbine or a taxane). Markov models were used for calculating progression-free time and the associated costs. Effectiveness estimators for such therapy were identified from primary studies; all direct medical costs based on national fees-guidelines were included. Sensitivity was analyzed and acceptability curves estimated. A 3 % discount rate and third-payer perspective were used within a 5-year horizon. Results L+C dominated its comparators. Its cost-effectiveness ratio was COP $49,725,045 per progression-free year. The factors most influencing the results were the alternatives' hazard ratios and the cost of trastuzumab. Conclusion Lapatinib was cost-effective compared to its alternatives for treating MBC after progression on trastuzumab using a Colombian decision analytic model.

Objetivo El cáncer de seno (CS) y cáncer de seno metastásico (CSM) son importantes causas de muerte entre las mujeres a nivel mundial y en países en vía de desarrollo. En estos últimos los costos de los tratamientos son aún más preocupantes que en países de alto ingreso. La sobreexpresión de ErbB2 es marcador de pobre pronóstico y objetivo de terapias dirigidas. Se evaluó la costo-efectividad de los tratamientos de CSM ErbB2+ en progresión post-trastuzumab en Colombia. Métodos Se desarrolló un modelo analístico de decisiones para evaluar los tratamientos en una cohorte hipotética de CSM ErbB2+ que progresaron después de un primer esquema con trastuzumab. Las alternativas comparadas fueron: lapatinib+capecitabina (L+C), y trastuzumab más un agente quimioterápico (capecitabina, vinorelbinao un taxano). Se usaron modelos de Markov para calcular el tiempo libre de progresión y los costos asociados. Estimaciones de efectividad fueron identificadas de estudios primarios. Se incluyeron todos los costos médicos directos basados en los manuales tarifarios nacionales. Se realizaron análisis de sensibilidad y curvas de aceptabilidad. Se descontaron costos y resultados a una tasa anual de 3 %, la perspectiva de análisis fue del tercer pagador y el horizonte de 5 años. Resultados L+C domina a sus comparadores con un razón de costo-efectividad de COP $49 725 045 por año libre de progresión. Los factores que más influencian los resultados son los hazard ratios de las alternativas y el costo de trastuzumab. Conclusión Lapatinib es costo-efectivo comparado con sus alternativas para el tratamiento del CSM después de la progresión con trastuzumab en el escenario colombiano.

Evaluación de Tecnología Sanitaria y su impacto en políticas de tarificación y cobertura de medicamentos / Health technology assessment and its impact on pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement policies

The article conceptualizes the pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement policies related to financial coverage in the context of health systems. It introduces the pharmaceutical market as an imperfect one, in which appropriate regulation is required. Moreover, the basis that guide the pricing and reimbursement processes are defined and described in order to generate a categorization based on whether they are intended to assess the 'added value' and if the evaluation is based on cost-effectiveness criteria. This framework is used to review different types of these policies applied in the international context, discussing the role of the Health Technology Assessment in these processes. Finally, it briefly discusses the potential role of these types of policies in the Chilean context.

Study on optimizing the reimbursement scheme under the New Rural Cooperative Medical System, based on Monte Carlo simulation / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the application of Monte Carlo simulation in optimizing and adjusting the reimbursement scheme with regard to the New Rural Cooperative Medical System (NCMS) to scientific steering practice. Optimization of the reimbursement scheme in rural areas of China was also studied.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A multi-stage sampling household survey was conducted in Sihui county, with 4 433 rural residents from 1 179 households from 13 towns in Guangdong province surveyed by self-designed questionnaire. Probit Regression Model was applied in fitting data and then estimating the own-price elasticity and cross elasticity of healthcare demand for both outpatients and inpatients. Monte Carlo simulation model was constructed to estimate the reimbursement effects of various alternative reimbursement schemes, by replicated simulation for one thousand times and each sampling on five hundred households. In this way, optimization of the implemented reimbursement scheme in Sihui county was conducted.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Own-priced elasticity of demands for outpatient visit, inpatient visit in the township hospital center, secondary hospital and tertiary hospital were -0.174, -0.264, -0.675 and -0.429, respectively. Outpatient demand was affected by the per-visit price of township hospital center and secondary hospital. The cross-priced elasticity of demands for outpatient visit appeared to be 0.125 and 0.150. The reimbursement effects of Scheme B7 showed that the efficiency of NCMS fund was 17.85% , the reimbursement ratio for healthcare was 25.63%, and the decreased percentages of poverty caused by illness was 18.25%, more than 9.37%, from the implemented scheme A. So the implemented scheme was in need for optimization.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Monte Carlo simulation technique was applicable to simulate the effects of the optimized alternative reimbursement scheme of NCMS and it provided a new idea and method to optimize and adjust the reimbursement scheme.</p>

Nutritional therapy in hospital

Globally, the prevalence of malnutrition in hospitals is high. In Korea, a recent national survey in which 28 general hospitals throughout the country participated showed a 22% prevalence of hospital malnutrition. Malnutrition is associated with adverse outcomes including immune suppression, muscle wasting, delayed wound healing, infectious complications, longer hospital stays, high medical costs, and even increased mortality. Early implementation of nutritional therapy might improve medical outcomes. For early recognition of malnutrition and early nutritional intervention, a qualified nutrition support team (NST) is necessary. In Korea, 110 NSTs were at work as of 2013, mostly affiliated with large high-ranking hospitals. Since the activity of an NST and enteral formula are not reimbursed by the National Health Insurance Corporation, the potential for expansion of NSTs to rather small hospitals remains limited. To improve the quality of care for hospitalized patients and reduce medical expenses nationally, it is time to reform the system for alleviating in-hospital malnutrition.

Informing public policy toward binational health insurance: Empirical evidence from California / Información para las políticas públicas sobre seguros binacionales de salud: evidencia empírica de California

Objective. To estimate reimbursement rate differences between Mexico and US based physicians reimbursed by a binational health insurance (BHI) plan and US payers, respectively; and show the relationship between plan benefit designs and health care utilization in Mexico. Materials and methods. Data include 33 841 and 53 909 HMO enrollees in California from Sistemas Médicos Nacionales (SIMNSA) and Salud con Health Net, respectively. We use descriptive statistical methods. Results. SIMNSA's physician reimbursement rates averaged 50.7% (95% CI: 34.5%-67.0%) of Medi-Cal's, 28.3% (95% CI: 19.6%-37.0%) of Medicare's, and 22% of US private plans'. Each year, 99.4% of SIMNSA enrollees but only 0.1% of Salud con Health Net enrollees obtained care in Mexico. Conclusion. SIMNSA only covers emergency and urgent care in the US, while Salud con Health Net covers comprehensive care with higher patient cost sharing than in Mexico. To realize potential savings, plans need strong incentives to increase utilization in Mexico.

Objetivo. Estimar diferencias en tasas de reembolso y utilización de servicios médicos cubiertos por seguros binacionales de salud (SBS) y aquellos de planes públicos y privados de EUA. Material y métodos. Con métodos estadísticos descriptivos se analizan datos de 33 841 afiliados a Sistemas Médicos Nacionales (SIMNSA) y 53 909 de Salud con Health Net en California. Resultados. Las tasas de reembolso de SIMNSA son en promedio 50.7% (95% IC: 34.5%-67.0%) de aquellas de Medi-Cal, 28.3% (95% IC: 19.6%-37.0%) de Medicare, y 22% de los planes privados de EUA. Cada año, 99.4% de afiliados a SIMNSA, pero sólo 0.1% de Salud con Health Net obtienen atención en México. Conclusión. SIMNSA sólo cubre gastos de emergencia y atención urgente en EUA, mientras que Salud con Health Net cubre servicios de atención integrales. Los planes de SBS pueden lograr ahorros importantes con más incentivos para que la atención ocurra en México.

Variation in the Numbers of Red Blood Cell Units Transfused at Different Medical Institution Types from 2006 to 2010 in Korea

BACKGROUND: This study aimed at assessing the number of red blood cell (RBC) units transfused at different types of medical institution and examining the characteristics of transfusion recipients. METHODS: We calculated and compared the number of transfusion recipients, total RBC units transfused, and RBC units transfused per recipient. Study data were extracted from insurance benefits reimbursement claims for RBC units at the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service from 2006 to 2010. RESULTS: Between 2006 and 2010, the number of recipients of RBC units increased from 298,049 to 376,445, the number of RBC units transfused increased from 1,460,799 to 1,841,695, and the number of RBC units transfused per recipient changed from 4.90 to 4.89. The number of recipients aged > or =65 yr increased from 133,833 (44.9%) in 2006 to 196,127 (52.1%) in 2010. The highest number of RBC units was transfused to patients with neoplastic diseases (31.9%) and diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (14.4%). More than 80% of the total number of RBC units were transfused at tertiary and general hospitals. However, this composition rate was slightly decreasing, with the composition rate for hospitals increasing from 12.6% to 16.3%. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed an increase in the number of RBC units transfused over a 5-yr period due to an increase in the number of transfused recipients, especially recipients aged > or =65 yr; moreover, the number of RBC units transfused differed based on medical institution type. These results provide fundamental data on RBC transfusions required for future research.