Políticas públicas de medicamentos e a relação de medicamentos essenciais / Public policies on medicines and the list of essential medicines / Las políticas públicas sobre medicamentos y la lista de medicamentos esenciales

Através da edição da Norma Operacional de Assistência à Saúde realizada em 2001 e da publicação do Pacto pela Saúde realizado em 2006 o processo de acesso à saúde, ganhou maior ênfase no quesito de inovações e melhorias do sistema de saúde. A assistência farmacêutica sobreveio como parte fundamental nos serviços e programas de saúde. Neste sentido, o objetivo do presente estudo foi de expor as principais políticas públicas acerca da temática de medicamentos essenciais. Para tanto, foi realizada uma revisão integrativa de literatura, tendo como base de dados o Ministério da Saúde, as Resoluções da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária, artigos científicos e as publicações da Relação Nacional de Medicamentos (RENAME). No ano de 1998 através da portaria nº 3.916, de 30 de outubro 1998, apresenta-se a população a terminologia de Políticas públicas e, como resposta às diretrizes resultantes desta política, no presente artigo teremos ênfase na RENAME, criada através da portaria nº 3.047, de 28 de novembro de 2019, a qual atende aos princípios básicos e fundamentais do Sistema Único de Saúde: universalidade, equidade e a integralidade, para atender aos tratamentos das diversas doenças e agravos que acometem a população brasileira. Sendo assim, conclui- se que não se trata apenas de políticas públicas, e sim de manter o direito do cidadão estabelecidos pela Constituição da República Federativa do Brasil, para que o paciente consiga adquirir a medicação adequada e na quantidade necessária, permitindo aos profissionais alcançar mais aproveitamento no gerenciamento do ciclo da assistência farmacêutica.

Through the edition of the Operational Norm for Health Care carried out in 2001 and the publication of the Pact for Health carried out in 2006, the process of access to health gained greater emphasis on the issue of innovations and improvements in the health system. Pharmaceutical assistance emerged as a fundamental part of health services and programs. In this sense, the objective of the present study was to expose the main public policies on the subject of essential medicines. Therefore, an integrative literature review was carried out, using the Ministry of Health, the National Health Surveillance Agency's Resolutions, scientific articles and the publications of the National Medicines List (RENAME) as a database. In 1998, through ordinance nº 3.916, of October 30, 1998, the public policy terminology is presented to the population and, in response to the guidelines resulting from this policy, in this article we will emphasize RENAME, created through ordinance nº 3.047 , of November 28, 2019, which meets the basic and fundamental principles of the Unified Health System: universality, equity and integrality, to meet the treatments of the various diseases and conditions that affect the Brazilian population. Therefore, it is concluded that it is not just about public policies, but about maintaining the right of the citizen established by the Constitution of the Federative Republic of Brazil, so that the patient can acquire the appropriate medication and in the necessary quantity, allowing professionals to achieve more use in the management of the pharmaceutical care cycle.

A través de la edición de la Norma Operativa de Atención a la Salud realizada en 2001 y de la publicación del Pacto por la Salud realizada en 2006, el proceso de acceso a la salud ganó mayor énfasis en el tema de innovaciones y mejoras en el sistema de salud. La asistencia farmacéutica surgió como parte fundamental de los servicios y programas de salud. En este sentido, el objetivo del presente estudio fue exponer las principales políticas públicas sobre el tema de los medicamentos esenciales. Para ello, se realizó una revisión bibliográfica integradora, utilizando como base de datos el Ministerio de Salud, las Resoluciones de la Agencia Nacional de Vigilancia Sanitaria, artículos científicos y las publicaciones de la Lista Nacional de Medicamentos (RENAME). En 1998, a través de la ordenanza nº 3.916, de 30 de octubre de 1998, se presenta a la población la política pública de terminología y, en respuesta a las directrices resultantes de esta política, en este artículo haremos hincapié en el RENAME, creado a través de la ordenanza nº 3.047, de 28 de noviembre de 2019, que cumple con los principios básicos y fundamentales del Sistema Único de Salud: universalidad, equidad e integralidad, para atender los tratamientos de las diversas enfermedades y afecciones que afectan a la población brasileña. Por lo tanto, se concluye que no se trata sólo de políticas públicas, sino de mantener el derecho del ciudadano establecido por la Constitución de la República Federativa de Brasil, para que el paciente pueda adquirir el medicamento adecuado y en la cantidad necesaria, permitiendo que los profesionales logren un mayor aprovechamiento en la gestión del ciclo de atención farmacéutica.

The Calculation of Geographic Practice Cost Index and the Feasibility of Using It in Korean Payment System / 보건행정학회지

The fee-for-service system is used as the main payment system for health care providers in Korea. It has been argued that it can't reflect differences in the medical practice costs across regions because the fee schedule is calculated based on the average cost. So, some researchers and providers have disputed that there is need for adopting geographic practice cost index (GPCI) used in the United States for the Medicare program for the elderly to the fee-for-service payment system. This study performed to identify whether the difference in the practice costs among regions exists or not and to examine the feasibility of applying GPCI to Korea payment system. For this purpose, we calculated modified-GPCI and examined considerations to introduce GPCI in Korea. First we identified available data to calculate GPCI. Second, we made applicable GPCI equations to Korea payment system and computed it based on four types of regions (metropolitan, urban, suburban, and rural). We also categorize the regions based on the availability of the medical resources and the capability of utilizing them. As a result, we found that there wasn't any significant difference in the GPCI by regional types in general, but the indices of rural areas (0.91–0.98) was relatively low compared to the indices of other regions (0.96–1.07). Considering the need to use GPCI floor, the pros and cons of using GPCI, and the concern of the regional imbalance of resources, the introduction of GPCI needs to be carefully considered.

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.

Remuneração de três planos odontológicos da cidade de Maceió-AL em comparação à tabela VRPO-CFO / Remuneration of three dental plans from the city of Maceio-Al in comparison to the table VRPO-CFO

Objetivo: Investigar se o valor médio geral de remuneração ofertado por três planos odontológicos da cidade de Maceió-AL possuem defasagem, coerência ou ágio em relação ao estabelecido na tabela VRPO-CFO. Materiais e Métodos: foram utilizados três planos odontológicos da cidade de Maceió-AL,acreditando ser esses os de maior procura por parte dos profissionais, para uma comparação entre suas categorias de serviço e as da tabela VRPO, sendo calculado o valor percentual de acréscimo ou defasagem. Resultados: Nota-se que em todas as categorias de serviço, o plano que melhor remunerou foi o plano A, tendo as categorias prevenção, Endodontia, Radiologia e Dentística o menor percentual de defasagem, sendo eles 22%, 26%, 30% e 40%, respectivamente, as demais categorias apresentaram índice acima de 50%. O plano odontológico que pior remunerou, de acordo com a presente pesquisa, foio plano C, com média de defasagem geral de 65%, possuindo a categoria Diagnóstico como o serviço com maior defasagem (83%). Conclusão: Conclui-se que a remuneração dos procedimentos odontológicos,que envolvem todas as especialidades, oferecida por planos odontológicos de Maceió-AL aos Cirurgiões-Dentistas, estão abaixo dos valores determinados na tabela do VRPO-CFO.

Objective: To investigate whe ther the overall average amount of remuneration offered by three dental plans from the city of Maceió-AL have a discrepancy, consistency or goodwill in relation to the established VRPO-CFO table. Materials and Methods: three dental plans from the city of Maceió- ALwere used, believing that these are the most demanded by professionals, for a comparison betweentheir service categories and VRPO table, therefore calculating their increasement percentage valueor lag. Results: We notice that in all service categories, the plan that best remunerated was plan A,having the categories Prevention, Endodontics, Radiology and Dentistry the lowest percentage oflag, namely 22%, 26%, 30% and 40% respectively, the other categories had an index above 50%.The dental plan that pays worse, according to this research, was plan C, with an overall discrepancy average of 65%. Having the Diagnosis service category with the largest lag (83%). Conclusion: We conclude that the remuneration for dental procedures, involving all specialties offered by dental plans in Maceió (AL) to dentists, are lower than the ones determined on the VRPO-CFO table.

Cost Analysis for Dentures Performed at Dental Clinics in Korea / 보건행정학회지

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to analyze the cost for the denture treatment in accordance with the government's plan to expand the National Health Insurance coverage for dental prothesis from July 1, 2012. METHODS: We developed the draft of classification of the treatment activities based on the existing researches and expert's review and finalized the standard procedures through confirming by Korean Dental Association. We also made the list of input at each stage of treatments. We conducted survey of 100 dental clinics via post from April 4 to May 20 in 2011 and 37 clinics took part in the survey. The unit of cost calculation is the process from the first visit for denture treatment to setting of denture and adjustment. The manufacturing process performed by dental technician was not included in the cost analysis. RESULTS: The process for the complete denture treatment was classified with 10 stages. The partial denture treatment was classified with 8 stages. The treatment time per each denture is about 5.6 hours for complete dentures and about 6.6 hours for partial dentures. The treatment cost were from 591,108 won to 643,913 won for complete denture and from 670,219 won to 738,840 won for partial denture in 2011, depending on the location, type of the clinics and the types of physician's income. CONCLUSION: This study shows the example of cost analysis for the treatment to set the fee schedule. Measures to get representative and accurate information need to be made.

Healthcare policy and healthcare utilization behavior to improve hospital infection control after the Middle East respiratory syndrome outbreak

The recent outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infections in South Korea in May 2015 revealed that the Korean healthcare system and hospitals are highly vulnerable to hospital-spread infections. In a short period of time, MERS-CoV infection spread widely across Korea due to the unique characteristics of the Korean healthcare system including 1) hospitals with limited infection control capabilities, 2) a heavy dependency on private caregivers due to a nursing shortage, 3) emergency department overcrowding, and 4) healthcare-related patient behaviour such as hospital shopping. To prevent future outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases similar to MERS-CoV, the Korean healthcare system should be reformed and healthcare-related patient behaviour must change. To improve the performance of hospital infection control, the National Health Insurance service should pay more for hospital infection control services and cover private patient rooms when medically necessary, including for infectious disease patients. To reduce risks of hospital infection related to private caregiving, the nurse staffing level should be increased and hospitals should take full responsibility for inpatient nursing care. To reduce hospital shopping, the National Health Insurance service should introduce a differential fee schedule which pays more when primary care providers care for patients with common conditions and tertiary care providers care for patients with severe conditions. To incentivize patients for appropriate health care use, lower patient out-of-pocket payments should be combined with a differential provider fee schedule.

Survey on the Usage of Leukocyte Reduced and Irradiated Blood Components in Korea (2007~2013) / 대한수혈학회지

BACKGROUND: Leukocyte reduced (LR) and irradiated (IR) blood components are used to prevent immunological transfusion-related adverse reactions. However, so far, reports on the usage of LR or IR blood components in Korea are scarce. METHODS: Data from January, 2007 to December, 2013 provided by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service of Korea were analyzed. Disease categories of the patients were classified according to the Korean Standard Classification of Disease. RESULTS: In 2013, 26.7% of total transfused blood components were leukocyte reduced and an increase of 5.3% compared to 2007. The proportion of IR components increased from 21.4% in 2007 to 27.9% in 2013. The percentage of LR (IR) blood components for RBCs, platelets, and SDPs was 15.4% (14.7%), 35.1% (38.8%), and 75.2% (80.1%), respectively, in 2013. In particular, the percentage of IR FFPs units increased gradually over the years, from 11.2% in 2007 to 22.7% in 2013. LR and IR components were used mainly in hemato-oncology patients but the proportion showed a downward trend. Due to aging of the society, transfusion of LR and IR components has inclined trends in the 70's or more. CONCLUSION: Although the transfusion rate of both LR and IR blood component is increasing, it is still remarkably lower than that in developed countries. Therefore, LR and IR blood components should be used more extensively. For this, reimbursement criteria for National Health Insurance for these blood components should be extended and the fee schedule for LR and IR blood components should be adjusted to reflect clinical practice and patient need.

Comparative study on medical fees: caesarean section, cataract, and appendectomy surgeries among OECD countries

The question has been raised whether the medical fee schedule is very low in Korea. However, studies that empirically address this matter on a national scale are rare. This study attempted to determine the level of Korea's medical fees for caesarean section (C-section), cataract, and appendectomy surgeries by comparing and analyzing them with other Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries' medical cost data obtained from other studies. There are two ways to compare the level of medical fees: one is a direct comparison, which obtains each country's medical fee schedule and compares them with each other. Another is indirect comparison, a method which compares data such as physician income. For direct comparison, fees were calculated using data provided by the OECD and Health Insurance Review and Assessment. For indirect comparison by physician income, data obtained from Korea Employment Information Services were used to represent Korean physician income. When compared with other OECD countries, the results suggest that, overall, the Korean fee schedule could be low, based on the fees for C-section, cataract, and appendectomy surgeries. The study results also confirm that Korean physicians' average earnings ranked relatively low among OECD countries. These results are meaningful in that they empirically support the contention that Korean medical fees could be low. In addition, under what is known as national health insurance, in which the medical fee schedule is determined by a single payer, an empirical analysis on medical fee levels, as in this study, has substantial political implications because it may be utilized for medical fee schedule negotiation in the near future. An attempt to directly research fees and the range of services of OECD countries is still needed in order to provide more established data.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Adjuvant Hormonal Treatments for Women with Postmenopausal Hormone-Receptor Positive Early Breast Cancer in the Korean Context / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of two aromatase inhibitors for the adjuvant treatment of women with postmenopausal hormone receptor positive early breast cancer, and to find the most reasonable treatment option when the population is stratified by the nodal status. METHODS: A Markov model was developed with defining six Markov states based on breast cancer progression. The annual probabilities of recurrence by adjuvant treatment (anastrozole, letrozole, and tamoxifen) were estimated from the published studies in the overall population and in the node negative and node positive groups. The costs of the defined breast cancer events were measured by the micro-costing method based on the 2009 National Health Insurance Fee Schedule and the third Clinical Guideline of Breast Cancer Treatment. Anastrozole and letrozole were compared with tamoxifen respectively, using the same Markov model. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for the overall population and each subgroup were estimated. RESULTS: Anastrozole was more effective and costly than tamoxifen with anastrozole costing an additional Korean Won (KRW) 22,461,689 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY). Letrozole showed a similar incremental cost of KRW 21,004,142 per QALY. In the node negative group, anastrozole was the most cost-effective with an incremental cost of KRW 19,717,770 per QALY, while letrozole was the most cost-effective with an incremental cost of KRW 8,150,512 per QALY for the node positive group. The sensitivity analysis showed that these results were robust. CONCLUSION: The subgroup analysis clearly demonstrated which treatment was superior among the aromatase inhibitors in terms of the cost-effectiveness. Such a finding was not confirmed for the case of the overall population. The implication of this study is that the decision makers should be careful when generalizing the cost-effectiveness results. The stratified analysis in this context may help reach a reasonable decision for allocating medical resources.

Factors Affecting of Long Term Care Hospital Patient's Intention of Transfer to a Nursing Home

PURPOSE: To examine factors affecting long-term care hospital patients' intention of transfer to a nursing home. METHOD: A questionnaire survey was conducted in Aug. 2007 that included 655 patients from 49 long-term care hospitals. The survey aimed to assess the patients' health status, family status, cost and intention of transfer to a nursing home. Institutional characteristics were analyzed from the nationwide database of Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service. The affecting factors were examined by employing chi-square test and logistic regression using SAS 8.2. RESULT: Of the subjects, 32.4% had intention of transfer to a nursing home. The intention of transfer to a nursing home was affected by moderate or severe pain, living together with the primary carer, high cost uncovered by insurance, and recognition of nursing home. CONCLUSION: For appropriate service utilization, a higher level of care is needed to satisfy patients at nursing homes and a balanced fee schedule is needed between long term care hospitals and nursing homes. It is desirable to encourage transfer to a nursing home at which nurses support patients and their families by giving information, coordination, and to make efforts to establish a reference system.

Estimation of Nursing Costs by a Patient Classification System(PCS) in ICU / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: The objective of our study was to figure out costs of nursing services in ICU based on the PCS in order to determine an appropriate nursing fee schedule. METHOD: Data was collected from 2 hospitals from April 15-16 to April 22-23, 2003. The costs of nursing services in the ICU were analyzed by nursing time based on the nursing intensity. The inpatients in the ICU were classified by a PCS tool developed by the Korean Clinical Nurses Association(2000). RESULTS: The distribution of patients by PCS in the ICU ranged from class IV to Class VI. The higher PCS in ICU consumed more nursing time. As a result, the higher nursing intensity, the more the daily average nursing costs in the ICU. CONCLUSION: Our study provides evidence to refine the current nursing fee schedule that does not differentiate from the volume of nursing services based on nursing time. We strongly recommend that the current reimbursement system for nursing services should be applied not only to the general nursing units but also to the ICU or other special nursing units.

Partnered care in the Bahamas: A model of advanced healthcare delivery for developing countries / Cuidados mediante asociación en las bahamas: un modelo avanzado de prestación de servicios de salud Para los países en vías de desarrollo

OBJECTIVE: To assess the delivery of advanced specialized medical care using The Partnered Care Model as a means of providing affordable access to all, irrespective of ability to pay. DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all persons presenting to a specialized, private, cardiac unit, The Bahamas Interventional Cardiology Center (BICC), over an 8.5-year period from March 1996 to September 2004 was conducted. The Bahamas Heart Center's Discounted Service System had been applied since inception to all patients in three groups including insured patients billed at 100of the fee schedule of The Medical Association of the Bahamas for the procedures performed, private self-pay and government patients billed at 75and 50respectively. Their respective distribution and contributions to total revenue was analyzed. A series of financial models were constructed taking into consideration variables that could influence the percentages of revenues collected from each sector and the number of individuals served RESULTS: One thousand five-hundred and forty-two patients received services in BICC over the 8.5 year period (56males and 44females age range: 0.25 - 96 years, with mean age of 55.7 years). One thousand eight-hundred and eighty-eight patient-procedures were performed, with 51insured generating 69total revenue, 18Private producing 16Revenue, and 31Government patients generating 15. Financial models were created to predict revenue behaviour in various scenarios. CONCLUSION: Partnered Care is a viable alternative for Governments (Ministries of Health) of developing countries to provide costly specialized healthcare to their populations at minimal expense and capital outlay. Partnered Care reduces the otherwise overwhelming burden of healthcare cost to governments, particularly in developing countries, by sharing the burden of care between the private, user and government sectors.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la prestación de servicios médicos especializados avanzados, usando el modelo de cuidados mediante asociación, como medio de proporcionar acceso económico a todos, con independencia de su capacidad de pago. DISEÑO Y MÉTODOS: Se llevó a cabo un análisis retrospectivo de todas las personas que acudieron a una unidad privada de cardiología – The Bahamas Interventional Cardiology Center (BICC) – por un periodo del 8.5 años, a saber, de marzo de 1996 a septiembre de 2004. El sistema de servicio de descuentos del Centro Cardiológico de Bahamas, había sido aplicado desde el principio a todos los pacientes en tres grupos. Los mismos comprendían: los pacientes con seguro – quienes pagaban el 100% de la suma estipulada por la Asociación Médica de Bahamas para los procedimientos realizados, los pacientes privados auto-financiados, y los pacientes con asistencia gubernamental, que abonaban 75% y 50% respectivamente. Se analizó su distribución respectiva y sus contribuciones al ingreso total. Se construyó una serie de modelos financieros tomando en consideración las variables que podrían influir en los porcentajes de ingresos percibidos por cada sector así como el número de individuos atendidos. RESULTADOS: Mil quinientos cuarenta y dos pacientes recibieron servicios en el BICC por espacio de 8.5 años (56% hombres y 44% mujeres). El rango de edad: 0.25–96 años, con una edad media de 55.7 años). Se realizaron mil ochocientos ochenta y ocho procedimientos por los cuales el 51% constituido por los asegurados generó un ingreso total del 69%; el 18% formado por los privados produjo un ingreso del 17%; y el 31% representado por los pacientes gubernamentales generó una entrada del 15%. Se crearon modelos financieros a fin de predecir el comportamiento de los ingresos en diversos escenarios. CONCLUSIÓN: El cuidado mediante asociación es una alternativa viable, mediante la cual los gobiernos (los ministerios de salud) de los países en vías de desarrollo pueden brindar a sus respectivas poblaciones, servicios de salud especializados – que de otra forma serían costosos – con costos y desembolso de capital mínimos. Los cuidados mediante asociación reducen la carga del costo de la atención a la salud para los gobiernos – carga que de otra forma resultaría realmente abrumadora, especialmente en los países en vías de desarrollo. Esto se logra mediante el procedimiento de compartir la carga de los cuidados médicos entre los tres sectores referidos – el de los usuarios, el privado, y el gubernamental.

Costos en odontología / Costs in dentistry

El análisis minucioso y aplicación de los verdaderos costos de la odontología, son el camino posible para solucionar los problemas actuales de la profesión, a partir de la categorización y acreditación ya propuesta por numerosos autores(3,10). En este sentido, y teniendo en cuenta que la mayoría de los autores reconoce la gran influencia tanto de los costos indirectos como de los costos directos, en la estructura arancelaria, es en este momento de profunda crisis que sería importante lograr un amplio consenso entre los mismos, para asesorar objetivamente a las instituciones y empresas de salud en la conformación de convenios que sean realistas y beneficiosos para todos los sectores intervinientes en la atención odontológica (pacientes, empresas, odontólogos).

Comparison of Asan Medical Center Criteria and National Health Insurance Criteria Among Emergent Patients

PURPOSE: To solve the problems of overcrowding in the emergency department (ED), the Korean government adopted the new emergency fee schedule into National Health Institute (NHI) as of April 2000. The purpose of this system was to determine non-emergent patients from visiting the ED. However, there have been no studies regarding the decision criteria for what constitute an 'emergency'. For that reason, we compared the concordance between the criteria used at the Asan Medical Center since 1998 to designate an emergency with those used by the government to improve the system. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study by collecting the data from 107,097 patients who visited Asan Medical Center from January 1st, 2001, to December 21st, 2002. The criteria on emergency in NHI consist of 36 items, while the criteria at Asan Medical Center are decided by emergency physician and nurse when the patient arrived at the ED. Based on laboratory and radiologic data, a secondary decision is made when the patient is moved from triage to the adult resuscitation room or transferred to an other medical center or discharged. RESULTS: The number of patients who were classified as emergent by both criteria was 22,452 (21%), the number of patients who were classified as non-emergent by both criteria was 39,657 (37%), and the number of patients who were classified in the same way by both criteria was 62,109 (58%). The number of patients for whom the two sets of criteria gave different classification was 44,988 (42%). The Kappa value was 0.138 (p < 0.005). CONCILUSION: There was high discordance between the criteria used by Asan Medical Center and NHI. Further studies and improvements are required.

Effect of the New Emergency Fee Schedule on the Pattern of Emergency Patients

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to solve the problems due to overcrowding of emergency medical centers (EMC) and to help EMCs to improve their financial status. Korean government has implemented a new emergency fee schedule into National Health Insurance (NHI). This policy is aimed at reducing non-emergent visits to EMCs. METHOD: This study was conducted to analyze the impact of the new policy by using a before-after comparison of the patterns of patients' visit to an EMC, Asan Medical Center (AMC). Data electronically recorded at the EMC of AMC were reviewed retrospectively. RESULT: The new emergency fee schedule reduced the rate of increase of non-emergent visit to EMC. CONCLUSION: However, this policy could not succeed in limiting total number of EMC visits. It means that this pricing policy made a partial success in solving the problem of overcrowding of EMCs.

Direction of Health Care and Health Insurance System Reform to Strengthen Primary Care: Comparative Analysis of Korea, Japan and Taiwan

BACKGROUND: This study aims to find the direction of health care and health insurance system reform to strengthen primary care in Korea. METHODS: A comparative analysis was performed on health care system and health insurance system between Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. RESULTS: (1) Functional differentiation between the hospital and the clinic is unclear and many clinics run beds for in-patient care. However, Japan and Taiwan have clear rule on the function of the hospital and the clinic, and only temporary observation beds are allowed for the clinic. (2) Health service delivery system is not defined in the Korean Health care Act. However, Japan and Taiwan have rules on health service delivery system in their health care act. (3) The system of co-payment ceiling is operated in Japan and Taiwan, but not in Korea. And Taiwan has various co-payment system including exemption of co-payment to fulfill the mission of health security. (4) Japan and Taiwan have many fee schedules for enforcing primary care, while Korea has little. CONCLUSION: Health care and health insurance system should be reformed in order to strengthen primary care. Most of all, the role of the hospital and the clinic should be classified. Fee schedule for primary care should be changed to encourage coordinated management of chronic diseases. Reform of co-payment system is also required.

Korean Resource-Based Relative Value Scale in Rheumatic Diseases / 대한류마티스학회지

In Korea, Resource-Based Relative Value Scale (RBRVS) was developed in 1997 and introduced in 2001 for the alternative of Korean Medical Fee Schedule. The RBRVS measures physician resource inputs to construct relative values for services and procedures. The RBRVS, as an administered price system, would need to be updated periodically. Changes in practice costs and practice patterns, and the rapid evolution of technology will require that relative values be adjusted over time. The Relative Value Scale Update Committee (RUC) in Korean Medical Association (KMA) is under updating annual review and 5-year review of Korean Relative Value Scale (RVS). The Korean RVS is estimated less balanced and rational in general, and furthermore there was no update after base-line study. So, it is the reason why this update of RVS is important. We, rheumatologists, are specialists for rheumatic diseases and are unfamiliar and unconcerned with health care system and medical insurance fee schedule, but this attitude is not appropriate to improve our specialized medical situation. This article reviewed the history of Korean medical insurance, development and update procedure of Korean RVS, and the current insurance problems in rheumatic diseases briefly. In Korea, RVS of medical services including rheumatology is relatively less compensated than the other invasive and imaging services. Therefore, Korean RVS update should be changed to more balanced and reasonable one for the medical service including rheumatology.

Comparing Difference of Volume of Psychiatric Treatments between the Patient with Health Insurance and Those with Medical Assistance: For Inpatients of Korean Psychiatric Hospitals / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: To assess the difference in the volume of psychiatric treatments provided to health insurance inpatients, compared with those on medical assistance (the medical aid program) Korean psychiatric hospitals, and to determine factors which affect the volume of the services. METHODS: 21 psychiatrists, from 3 Korean psychiatric hospitals recorded the frequencies psychiatric treatments provided to inpatients in one week (February18-24, 2002). The records of 329 patients were analyzed through t-tests, and random effectmixed model analyses to define the difference between the two groups, and to find other factors affecting the volume of service. RESULTS: A significant difference in the volume of psychiatric treatments provided was observed between the health insurance and medical assistance groups. The variation in the volume of service between hospitals was prominent, and other factors (gender, agegroup, length of stay and mental disorder) were also found to be significant. The patients on medical assistance received only 70% of the psychiatric treatments of those on health insurance. CONCLUSIONS: More effort is required to improve the methods of payment to increase the level of fee scheduling for medical assistance. Further studies on the mechanisms causing these differences in the volume of service are required.

Korean Medical Insurance System in Rheumatic Diseases / 대한류마티스학회지

Korean resource-based relative value scale (RBRVS) was developed first in 1997 for the alternative of the traditional Korean fee-for-service system. The knowledge about the RBRVS-based fee schedule is necessary to understand the physician payment system of Korean medical insurance. Still now, it is considered that a few more issues should be modified for the most balanced and rational fee schedule in specific situation of Korea. In this article, we analyzed the current Korean medical insurance fee schedule, especially the RBRVS related to rheumatic diseases. And we introduced the guide of the medical service for rheumatic diseases in the view of approved limit under the medical insurance. In addition, the new optional medical service system, which was operated recently, was also evaluated briefly. It is suggested that the medical insurance fee schedule be modified to more acceptable and reasonable one for the best medical services. For that purpose, it is necessary for medical committee and its members to make an efforts continuously on the basis of the great insights of the current fee schedule of Korean medical insurance.