Childhood cancers in a section of the South African private health sector: Analysis of medicines claims data

Background: Although childhood cancers are rare, increases in incidence have been observed in recent times. There is a paucity of data on the current incidence of childhood cancers in South Africa.Aim: This study described the epidemiology of childhood cancers in a section of the private health sector of South Africa, using medicines claims data.Setting: This study was designed on a nationally representative medicine claims database. Method: A longitudinal open-cohort study employing children younger than 19 years and diagnosed with cancers between 2008 and 2017 was conducted using medicine claims data from a South African Pharmaceutical Benefit Management company. Cases were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) diagnostic codes C00 to C97, together with a medicine claim reimbursed from oncology benefits. Crude incidence rates were calculated per million persons younger than 19 years on the database and standardised using the Segi 1960 world population. Temporal trends in incidence rates, analysed using the joinpoint regression, were reported as annual percentage changes (APCs). Results: Overall, 173 new cases of childhood cancers were identified in the database, translating into an age-standardised incidence rate (ASR) of 82.3 per million. Annual incidence of cancer decreased from 76.7 per million in 2008 to 58.2 per million in 2017. More incident cases were identified in males (68.8%). The highest proportion of incident cases was recorded for leukaemias (39.9%), the 5­9 year age group (34.1%) and the Gauteng Province (49.7%).Conclusion: The incidence of childhood cancers decreased over time in the section of the private health sector studied. Leukaemias were the major drivers of childhood cancer incidence

Olmesartan is not associated with the risk of enteropathy: a Korean nationwide observational cohort study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Olmesartan, a widely used angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), has been linked to sprue-like enteropathy. No cases of olmesartan-associated enteropathy have been reported in Northeast Asia. We investigated the associations between olmesartan and other ARBs and the incidence of enteropathy in Korea. METHODS: Our retrospective cohort study used data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service to identify 108,559 patients (58,186 females) who were initiated on angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEis), olmesartan, or other ARBs between January 2005 and December 2012. The incidences of enteropathy were compared among drug groups. Changes in body weight were compared after propensity score matching of patients in the ACEis and olmesartan groups. RESULTS: Among 108,559 patients, 31 patients were diagnosed with enteropathy. The incidences were 0.73, 0.24, and 0.37 per 1,000 persons, in the ACEis, olmesartan, and other ARBs groups, respectively. Adjusted rate ratios for enteropathy were: olmesartan, 0.33 (95% confidential interval [CI], 0.10 to 1.09; p = 0.070) and other ARBs, 0.34 (95% CI, 0.14 to 0.83; p = 0.017) compared to the ACEis group after adjustment for age, sex, income level, and various comorbidities. The post hoc analysis with matched cohorts revealed that the proportion of patients with significant weight loss did not differ between the ACEis and olmesartan groups. CONCLUSIONS: Olmesartan was not associated with intestinal malabsorption or significant body weight loss in the general Korean population. Additional large-scale prospective studies of the relationship between olmesartan and the incidence of enteropathy in the Asian population are needed.

Disparities in hospital capacities and efficiency of computer-based health insurance claims processing

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>BACKGROUND:</b> The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has adopted several computer-based systems to enhance claims processing for hospitals.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>OBJECTIVES:</strong> This study sought to determine the efficiency gains in the processing of PhilHealth claims following the introduction of computer-based processing systems, taking into account differences in hospital characteristics.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>METHODS:</strong> Data were obtained from a survey conducted among 200 hospitals, and their corresponding 2014 claims figures as provided by PhilHealth. Summary descriptive statistics of hospital capacities (ownership, service level, and utilization of PhilHealth computer systems) and claims outcomes (claims rejection rates, as well as length of claims processing times for hospitals and with PhilHealth) were generated. Multivariate regression analysis was done using claims outcomes as dependent variables, and hospital capacities as independent variables.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>RESULTS:</strong> Nearly a quarter of the surveyed hospitals did not utilize any of PhilHealth's computer-based claims systems. Utilization was lowest for primary as well as public facilities. Among those that used the systems, most employed the on-line membership verification program. The mean claims rejection rate was 3.81%. Claims processing by hospitals took an average of 35 days, while PhilHealth required 40 days from receipt of claims to the release of reimbursement. Regression analysis indicated that facilities that utilized computers, as well as private hospitals, had significantly lower claims rejection rates (p<0.05). The claims processing duration was significantly shorter among private facilities.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>CONCLUSIONS:</strong> Private hospitals are able to process claims and obtain reimbursements faster than public facilities, regardless of the use of PhilHealth's computer-based systems. PhilHealth and public hospitals need to optimize claims processing arrangements.</p>

Understanding the types of fraud in claims to South African medical schemes

Background. Medical schemes play a significant role in funding private healthcare in South Africa (SA). However, the sector is negatively affected by the high rate of fraudulent claims.Objectives. To identify the types of fraudulent activities committed in SA medical scheme claims.Methods. A cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted, adopting a case study strategy. A sample of 15 employees was purposively selected from a single medical scheme administration company in SA. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data from study participants. A thematic analysis of the data was done using ATLAS.ti software (ATLAS.ti Scientific Software Development, Germany).Results. The study population comprised the 17 companies that administer medical schemes in SA. Data were collected from 15 study participants, who were selected from the medical scheme administrator chosen as a case study. The study found that medical schemes were defrauded in numerous ways. The perpetrators of this type of fraud include healthcare service providers, medical scheme members, employees, brokers and syndicates. Medical schemes are mostly defrauded by the submission of false claims by service providers and syndicates. Fraud committed by medical scheme members encompasses the sharing of medical scheme benefits with non-members (card farming) and non-disclosure of pre-existing conditions at the application stage.Conclusions. The study concluded that perpetrators of fraud have found several ways of defrauding SA medical schemes regarding claims. Understanding and identifying the types of fraud events facing medical schemes is the initial step towards establishing methods to mitigate this risk. Future studies should examine strategies to manage fraudulent medical scheme claims

Differences in Utilization Patterns among Medications in Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: a 36-Month Retrospective Study Using the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Claims Database

We evaluated the differences in utilization patterns including persistence and adherence among medications in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The current study was performed using data from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment claims database from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2013. Our study sample consisted of 10,343 children and adolescents with ADHD who were not given their newly prescribed medication in 360 days before the initial claim in 2010. Data were followed up from the initiation of treatment with ADHD medications in 2010 to December 31, 2013. Discontinuation rates for 4 ADHD medications in our sample ranged from 97.7% for immediate-release methylphenidate to 99.4% for atomoxetine using refill gap more than 30 days and from 56.7% for immediate-release methylphenidate to 62.3% for extended-release methylphenidate using refill gap more than 60 days. In the number of discontinued, we found significant differences among medications using refill gap more than 30 days. Among 4 ADHD medications, extended-release methylphenidate and atomoxetine had more days than immediate-release methylphenidate and osmotic-controlled oral delivery system methylphenidate. In logistic regression analyses, extended-release methylphenidate, osmotic-controlled oral delivery system methylphenidate, and atomoxetine showed less discontinuation compared to immediate-release methylphenidate group when a refill gap more than 30 days was used. In logistic regression analysis of adherence, we could not find any differences among 4 medication types. We suggest that the utilization patterns should be assessed regularly in order to improve future outcomes in children and adolescents with ADHD.

Differences in Utilization Patterns among Medications in Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: a 36-Month Retrospective Study Using the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Claims Database

We evaluated the differences in utilization patterns including persistence and adherence among medications in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The current study was performed using data from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment claims database from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2013. Our study sample consisted of 10,343 children and adolescents with ADHD who were not given their newly prescribed medication in 360 days before the initial claim in 2010. Data were followed up from the initiation of treatment with ADHD medications in 2010 to December 31, 2013. Discontinuation rates for 4 ADHD medications in our sample ranged from 97.7% for immediate-release methylphenidate to 99.4% for atomoxetine using refill gap more than 30 days and from 56.7% for immediate-release methylphenidate to 62.3% for extended-release methylphenidate using refill gap more than 60 days. In the number of discontinued, we found significant differences among medications using refill gap more than 30 days. Among 4 ADHD medications, extended-release methylphenidate and atomoxetine had more days than immediate-release methylphenidate and osmotic-controlled oral delivery system methylphenidate. In logistic regression analyses, extended-release methylphenidate, osmotic-controlled oral delivery system methylphenidate, and atomoxetine showed less discontinuation compared to immediate-release methylphenidate group when a refill gap more than 30 days was used. In logistic regression analysis of adherence, we could not find any differences among 4 medication types. We suggest that the utilization patterns should be assessed regularly in order to improve future outcomes in children and adolescents with ADHD.

Trends and Patterns of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treatment in Korea

Multiple therapeutic modalities are available for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment. We aimed to evaluate the trends for HCC treatment in Korea. Recent trends and patterns in treatment modalities were assessed in HCC patients who first registered for the Health Insurance Review Assessment Service between 2008 and 2012. From 2009 to 2012, 57,690 patients were diagnosed with HCC. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) was the most common treatment modality for initial treatment. Curative treatment modalities like hepatic resection, liver transplantation, and local ablation therapy increased gradually. The 3 most common treatment modalities (hepatic resection, local ablation therapy, TACE) used after initial treatment in 2009 were studied. Following initial hepatic resection, 44.5% of patients required re-treatment. TACE was the most common modality (in 48.3% of cases), while 15.0% of patients received local ablation therapy. After local ablation therapy, 55.4% of patients were re-treated, wherein 45.0% of patients received TACE and 31.5% received local ablation therapy. Following initial TACE, 73.9% patients were re-treated, most commonly with TACE (57.7%) followed by local ablation therapy (12.8%). While there were no significant differences between the initial and re-treatment modalities, various multiple treatments followed the initial treatment. The treatment modalities were interchangeable.

The oropharyngeal bleeding after esophageal stethoscope insertion: A case report

The daily insertion of endotracheal tubes, laryngeal mask airways, oral/nasal airways, gastric tubes, transesophageal echocardiogram probes, esophageal dilators and emergency airways all involve the risk of airway structure damage. In the closed claims analysis of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, 6% of all claims concerned airway injury. Among the airway injury claims, the most common cause was difficult intubation. Among many other causes, esophageal stethoscope is a relatively noninvasive monitor that provides extremely useful information. Relatively not many side effects that hardly is ratable. Some of that was from tracheal insertion, bronchial insertion resulting in hypoxia, hoarseness due to post cricoids inflammation, misguided surgical dissection of esophagus. Also oropharyngeal bleeding and subsequent anemia probably are possible and rarely pharyngeal/esophageal perforations are also possible because of this device. Careful and gentle procedure is necessary when inserting esophageal stethoscope and observations for injury and bleeding are needed after insertion.

Flexible bronchoscopic foreign body removal through the I-gel supraglottic airway: A case report

The daily insertion of endotracheal tubes, laryngeal mask airways, oral/nasal airways, gastric tubes, transesophageal echocardiogram probes, esophageal dilators and emergency airways all involve the risk of airway structure damage. In the closed claims analysis of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, 6% of all claims concerned airway injury. Among the airway injury clams, the most common cause was difficult intubation. Among many other causes, esophageal stethoscope is a relatively noninvasive monitor that provides extremely useful information. Relatively not many side effects that hardly is ratable. Some of that was from tracheal insertion, bronchial insertion resulting in hypoxia, hoarseness due to post cricoids inflammation, misguided surgical dissection of esophagus. Also oropharyngeal bleeding and subsequent anemia probably are possible and rarely pharyngeal/esophageal perforations are also possible because of this device. Careful and gentle procedure is necessary when inserting esophageal stethoscope and observations for injury and bleeding are needed after insertion.

Trends of Incidence, Mortality, and Future Projection of Spinal Fractures in Korea Using Nationwide Claims Data

Spinal fractures have been recognized as a major health concern. Our purposes were to evaluate the trends in the incidence and mortality of spinal fractures between 2008 and 2012 and predict the number of spinal fractures that will occur in Korea up to 2025, using nationwide data from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). A nationwide data set was evaluated to identify all new visits to medical institutes for spinal fractures in men and women aged 50 years or older between 2008 and 2012. The incidence, mortality rates and estimates of the number of spinal fractures were calculated using Poisson regression. The number of spinal fractures increased over the time span studied. Men and women experienced 14,808 and 55,164 vertebral fractures in 2008 and 22,739 and 79,903 in 2012, respectively. This reflects an increase in the incidence of spinal fractures for both genders (men, 245.3/100,000 in 2008 and 312.5/100,000 in 2012; women, 780.6/100,000 in 2008 and 953.4/100,000 in 2012). The cumulative mortality rate in the first year after spinal fractures decreased from 8.51% (5,955/69,972) in 2008 to 7.0% (7,187/102,642) in 2012. The overall standardized mortality ratio (SMR) of spinal fractures at 1 year post-fracture was higher in men (7.76, 95% CI: 7.63-7.89) than in women (4.70, 95% CI: 4.63-4.76). The total number of spinal fractures is expected to reach 157,706 in 2025. The incidence of spinal fractures increased in Korea in the last 5 years, and the socioeconomic burden of spinal fractures will continue to increase in the near future.

Idosos e planos de saúde no Brasil: análise das reclamações recebidas pela Agência Nacional de Saúde Suplementar / The elderly and healthcare plans in Brazil: analysis of the complaints received by the National Regulatory Agency for Private Health Insurance and Plans

Resumo Embora conte com um Sistema Único de Saúde com cobertura universal, cerca de 25% da população brasileira possui seguros de saúde privados. Considerando o contexto atual de envelhecimento populacional, prevalência de doenças crônicas e altos custos associados aos cuidados em saúde, o presente estudo tem o objetivo de avaliar se as barreiras ao acesso e ao uso dos serviços dos planos de saúde, expressas em reclamações de beneficiários, afetam de forma mais contundente a população idosa, comparativamente a adultos e crianças. Estudo transversal e exploratório que adotou uma abordagem quantitativa descritiva utilizando dados secundários da Agência Nacional de Saúde Suplementar (ANS). Foram analisadas reclamações recebidas pela ANS de beneficiários da Região Sudeste do Brasil no período de 2010-2012. A população de estudo correspondeu a 92.235 reclamações. Os idosos foram o grupo populacional que proporcionalmente apresentou mais reclamações (60,8 versus 25,5 reclamações/10.000 beneficiários). O tema mais frequente das reclamações dos idosos esteve relacionado à cobertura assistencial (68,1%). Os resultados reforçam a ideia de que dispositivos organizacionais dos planos de saúde privados afetam em especial os grupos mais propensos a utilizar os serviços de saúde.

Abstract Although the Unified Healthcare System provides universal coverage, about 25% of the population in Brazil has some form of private healthcare. Considering that the population is aging, the prevalence of chronic diseases and the high costs associated with healthcare, the goal of this study is to assess if the barriers to access and use of the services offered by healthcare plans, expressed as beneficiary complaints, have a greater impact on the elderly than on adults and children. Transverse, exploratory study using a quantitative descriptive approach and secondary data provided by the ANS (the National Regulatory Agency for Private Health Insurance and Plans). This study analyzed complaints filed with the ANS by beneficiaries in the Southeast of Brazil between 2010 and 2012. The study population corresponded to 92,235 complaints. The elderly filed proportionately more complaints (60.8 vs. 25.5 complaints per 10 thousand beneficiaries). The most frequent (68.1%) complaints by the elderly were related to coverage. The results reinforce the idea that the organizational elements of private healthcare plans affect especially those groups most likely to use healthcare plans.

Administrative and clinical denials by a large dental insurance provider

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and the type of claim denials (administrative, clinical or both) made by a large dental insurance plan. This was a cross-sectional, observational study, which retrospectively collected data from the claims and denial reports of a dental insurance company. The sample consisted of the payment claims submitted by network dentists, based on their procedure reports, reviewed in the third trimester of 2012. The denials were classified and grouped into ‘administrative’, ‘clinical’ or ‘both’. The data were tabulated and submitted to uni- and bivariate analyses. The confidence intervals were 95% and the level of significance was set at 5%. The overall frequency of denials was 8.2% of the total number of procedures performed. The frequency of administrative denials was 72.88%, whereas that of technical denials was 25.95% and that of both, 1.17% (p < 0.05). It was concluded that the overall prevalence of denials in the studied sample was low. Administrative denials were the most prevalent. This type of denial could be reduced if all dental insurance providers had unified clinical and administrative protocols, and if dentists submitted all of the required documentation in accordance with these protocols.

Fate of Outstanding COIDA Occupational Disease Claims Following Closure of the Western Cape Provincial Medical Advisory Panel in 2008 : An audit

Background and objectives: The Western Cape Provincial Medical Advisory Panel (PMAP) was established in 2004 in terms of Section 70(1) of COIDA. A primary function was to improve the efficiency of medical assessment of occupational disease claims. The PMAP was closed by the Compensation Commissioner in 2008. This audit aimed to determine the fate of claims outstanding at the time of closure. Methods: A total of 68 claims outstanding in April 2008 were followed up by telephone; email and/or internet to determine what proportion had progressed or; if accepted; had resulted in a permanent disablement compensation payment. Results: Of the 68 claims; 31 (44) were confirmed as having progressed. Of these; payment of permanent disablement awards could be confirmed in only 15 claims (22). The remaining 56 either showed no progress or no longer had a record in the COIDA system. Those stages of the claims process that had previously been aided by PMAP functioning had deteriorated in efficiency. Conclusions: Overall; the low proportion of outstanding claims finalised and awarded is consistent with inefficiency in claims handling of occupational disease; a finding echoed by recent complaints about general Compensation Fund performance from both healthcare providers and parliamentary investigation

Refinement and Evaluation of Korean Outpatient Groups for Visits with Multiple Procedures and Chemotherapy, and Medical Visit Indicators / 보건행정학회지

BACKGROUND: Issues concerning with the classification accuracy of Korean Outpatient Groups (KOPGs) have been raised by providers and researchers. The KOPG is an outpatient classification system used to measure casemix of outpatient visits and to adjust provider risk in charges by the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service in managing insurance payments. The objective of this study were to refine KOPGs to improve the classification accuracy and to evaluate the refinement. METHODS: We refined the rules used to classify visits with multiple procedures, newly defined chemotherapy drug groups, and modified the medical visit indicators through reviews of other classification systems, data analyses, and consultations with experts. We assessed the improvement by measuring % of variation in case charges reduced by KOPGs and the refined system, Enhanced KOPGs (EKOPGs). We used claims data submitted by providers to the HIRA during the year 2012 in both refinement and evaluation. RESULTS: EKOPGs explicitly allowed additional payments for multiple procedures with exceptions of packaging of routine ancillary services and consolidation of related significant procedures, and discounts ranging from 30% to 70% were defined in additional payments. Thirteen chemotherapy drug KOPGs were added and medical visit indicators were streamlined to include codes for consultation fees for outpatient visits. The % of variance reduction achieved by EKOPGs was 48% for all patients whereas the figure was 40% for KOPGs, and the improvement was larger in data from tertiary and general hospitals than in data from clinics. CONCLUSION: A significant improvement in the performance of the KOPG was achieved by refining payments for visits with multiple procedures, defining groups for visits with chemotherapy, and revising medical visit indicators.

Towards universal coverage: an evaluation of the benefit enhancement plan for four major conditions in Korean National Health Insurance

Owing to low contributions and a limited benefits design, the Korean National Health Insurance (NHI) took only 12 years from its establishment to achieve universal population coverage. However, the NHI has been facing critical challenges like high out-of-pocket payment rates and catastrophic health expenditures because of low contributions and a limited benefits design. In response to these challenges, in 2013, as a major move towards universal coverage, the Korean government declared a plan to radically enhance the benefit coverage for four major conditions, including cancers, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and rare diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the benefit enhancement plan for these four major conditions and identify key success factors. Four major strategies were adopted to enhance benefit coverage: 1) covering almost all previously non-covered medical services either as essential or discretionary benefits, except for definite non-essential services such as cosmetic surgery; 2) improving conditions for benefit coverage corresponding to current scientific knowledge; 3) reducing high out-of-pocket payments considering income level; 4) reducing the financial burden from three major non-covered services including physician surcharges, private room charges, and private charges for custodial care. Despite impaired equity in financial protection across conditions, the plan is expected to reduce out-of-pocket payments by 10% in four major conditions. The actual impact of the plan should be evaluated after implementation. For the successful implementation of the plan, we need to strengthen the NHI's strategic purchasing by establishing a new benefit management system, improving claims review processes, and providing financial incentives rewarding quality and efficiency of care.

Levothyroxine Dose and Fracture Risk According to the Osteoporosis Status in Elderly Women / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between fracture risk and levothyroxine use in elderly women with hypothyroidism, according to previous osteoporosis history. METHODS: We conducted a cohort study from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service claims database from January 2005 to June 2006. The study population comprised women aged > or =65 years who had been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and prescribed levothyroxine monotherapy. We excluded patients who met any of the following criteria: previous fracture history, hyperthyroidism, thyroid cancer, or pituitary disorder; low levothyroxine adherence; or a follow-up period 150 microg/d. The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated with the Cox proportional hazard model, and subgroup analyses were performed according to the osteoporosis history and osteoporosis-specific drug prescription status. RESULTS: Among 11 155 cohort participants, 35.6% had previous histories of osteoporosis. The adjusted HR of fracture for the >150 microg/d group, compared with the 51 to 100 microg/d group, was 1.56 (95% CI, 1.03 to 2.37) in osteoporosis subgroup. In the highly probable osteoporosis subgroup, restricted to patients who were concurrently prescribed osteoporosis-specific drugs, the adjusted HR of fracture for the >150 microg/d group, compared with the 51 to 100 microg/d group, was 1.93 (95% CI, 1.14 to 3.26). CONCLUSIONS: While further studies are needed, physicians should be concerned about potential levothyroxine overtreatment in elderly osteoporosis patients.

Study of medical malpractice claims in sharqyia governorate [2007-2010]

The present study aimed to throw light on medical malpractice claims in Sharqyia governorate as a step for a primary evaluation all over the Egyptian goveraorates. 114 cases of malpractice claims were collected from Sharqyia Medicolegal Department, Ministry of Justice during the period from the beginning of 2007 till the end of 2010. The data obtained were analyzed in relation to plaintiff aspects, defendant aspects, locations of medical services, the final outcomes as well as the rate of autopsy performance. The results revealed that, there was a statistically significant increase in the total number of claims during the years of study. 20.2% of claims cases were positive and one defendant was involved in 96.5% of cases. The highest incidence of claims was in general surgery followed by orthopedics with a statistically

Health Insurance Claim Review Using Information Technologies / 대한의료정보학회지

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this paper is to describe the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA)'s payment request (PARE) system that plays the role of the gateway for all health insurance claims submitted to HIRA, and the claim review support (CRS) system that supports the work of claim review experts in South Korea. METHODS: This study describes the two systems' information technology (IT) infrastructures, their roles, and quantitative analysis of their work performance. It also reports the impact of these systems on claims processing by analyzing the health insurance claim data submitted to HIRA from April 1 to June 30, 2011. RESULTS: The PARE system returned to healthcare providers 2.7% of all inpatient claims (97,930) and 0.1% of all outpatient claims (317,007) as un-reviewable claims. The return rate was the highest for the hospital group as 0.49% and the lowest rate was found in clinic group. The CRS system's detection rate of the claims with multiple errors in inpatient and outpatient areas was 23.1% and 2.9%, respectively. The highest rate of error detection occurred at guideline check-up stages in both inpatient and outpatient groups. CONCLUSIONS: The study found that HIRA's two IT systems had a critical role in reducing heavy administrative workloads through automatic data processing. Although the return rate of the problematic claims to providers and the error detection rate by two systems was low, the actual count of the returned claims was large. The role of IT will become increasingly important in reducing the workload of health insurance claims review.

Impact of DRG Payment on the Length of Stay and the Number of Outpatient Visits After Discharge for Caesarean Section During 2004-2007 / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG)-based payment on the length of stay and the number of outpatient visits after discharge in for patients who had undergone caesarean section. METHODS: This study used the health insurance data of the patients in health care facilities that were paid by the Fee-For-Service (FFS) in 2001-2004, but they participated in the DRG payment system in 2005-2007. In order to examine the net effects of DRG payment, the Difference-In-Differences (DID) method was adopted to observe the difference in health care utilization before and after the participation in the DRG payment system. The dependent variables of the regression model were the length of stay and number of outpatient visits after discharge, and the explanatory variables included the characteristics of the patients and the health care facilities. RESULTS: The length of stay in DRG-paid health care facilities was greater than that in the FFS-paid ones. Yet, DRG payment has no statistically significant effect on the number of outpatient visits after discharge. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study that DRG payment was not effective in reducing the length of stay can be related to the nature of voluntary participation in the DRG system. Only those health care facilities that are already efficient in terms of the length of stay or that can benefit from the DRG payment may decide to participate in the program.