Hospital financing in Germany is based on the principle of "dual financing": the operating costs of the hospitals, i.e. all costs that arise for treating patients, are financed by the health insurance companies. The investment costs, however, are financed by the federal states. The remuneration of the hospitals by the health insurance companies is based on the DRG system, which is a flat-rate billing system in which inpatient hospital treatments are billed as flat-rate fees, largely regardless of the length of the patient's stay. The DRG system is currently the subject of criticism because it makes it more difficult for children's clinics to cover costs, especially in pediatrics. On the basis of hospital billing data, there is a connection between the socio-economic status of a family and the likelihood of hospitalization in the event of a child's illness. The likelihood of inpatient treatment for certain pediatric diseases is significantly higher in economically weaker federal states. A proportionately higher inpatient treatment capacity is available in the affected federal states for this higher need. Should the poor financial situation of the federal states lead to the number of beds being rationed, the quality of care will deteriorate, especially for these children.
Published in | Science Journal of Public Health (Volume 9, Issue 5) |
DOI | 10.11648/j.sjph.20210905.15 |
Page(s) | 169-172 |
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Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Science Publishing Group |
Solidarity, Inpatient Pediatrics, Hospital Care
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APA Style
Fabian Holbe. (2021). Inpatient Treatment - a Matter of Social Background in Germany. Science Journal of Public Health, 9(5), 169-172. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20210905.15
ACS Style
Fabian Holbe. Inpatient Treatment - a Matter of Social Background in Germany. Sci. J. Public Health 2021, 9(5), 169-172. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.20210905.15
AMA Style
Fabian Holbe. Inpatient Treatment - a Matter of Social Background in Germany. Sci J Public Health. 2021;9(5):169-172. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.20210905.15
@article{10.11648/j.sjph.20210905.15, author = {Fabian Holbe}, title = {Inpatient Treatment - a Matter of Social Background in Germany}, journal = {Science Journal of Public Health}, volume = {9}, number = {5}, pages = {169-172}, doi = {10.11648/j.sjph.20210905.15}, url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20210905.15}, eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjph.20210905.15}, abstract = {Hospital financing in Germany is based on the principle of "dual financing": the operating costs of the hospitals, i.e. all costs that arise for treating patients, are financed by the health insurance companies. The investment costs, however, are financed by the federal states. The remuneration of the hospitals by the health insurance companies is based on the DRG system, which is a flat-rate billing system in which inpatient hospital treatments are billed as flat-rate fees, largely regardless of the length of the patient's stay. The DRG system is currently the subject of criticism because it makes it more difficult for children's clinics to cover costs, especially in pediatrics. On the basis of hospital billing data, there is a connection between the socio-economic status of a family and the likelihood of hospitalization in the event of a child's illness. The likelihood of inpatient treatment for certain pediatric diseases is significantly higher in economically weaker federal states. A proportionately higher inpatient treatment capacity is available in the affected federal states for this higher need. Should the poor financial situation of the federal states lead to the number of beds being rationed, the quality of care will deteriorate, especially for these children.}, year = {2021} }
TY - JOUR T1 - Inpatient Treatment - a Matter of Social Background in Germany AU - Fabian Holbe Y1 - 2021/10/12 PY - 2021 N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20210905.15 DO - 10.11648/j.sjph.20210905.15 T2 - Science Journal of Public Health JF - Science Journal of Public Health JO - Science Journal of Public Health SP - 169 EP - 172 PB - Science Publishing Group SN - 2328-7950 UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20210905.15 AB - Hospital financing in Germany is based on the principle of "dual financing": the operating costs of the hospitals, i.e. all costs that arise for treating patients, are financed by the health insurance companies. The investment costs, however, are financed by the federal states. The remuneration of the hospitals by the health insurance companies is based on the DRG system, which is a flat-rate billing system in which inpatient hospital treatments are billed as flat-rate fees, largely regardless of the length of the patient's stay. The DRG system is currently the subject of criticism because it makes it more difficult for children's clinics to cover costs, especially in pediatrics. On the basis of hospital billing data, there is a connection between the socio-economic status of a family and the likelihood of hospitalization in the event of a child's illness. The likelihood of inpatient treatment for certain pediatric diseases is significantly higher in economically weaker federal states. A proportionately higher inpatient treatment capacity is available in the affected federal states for this higher need. Should the poor financial situation of the federal states lead to the number of beds being rationed, the quality of care will deteriorate, especially for these children. VL - 9 IS - 5 ER -