Gaming the Payment System: Evidence from Geriatric Rehabilitation

Master thesis (2024)

Authors

S.A.S. Verbunt Technology, Policy and Management

Contributors

N. van der Linden Policy Analysis - TPM (mentor)
M. Kroesen Transport and Logistics - TPM (graduation committee member)
Faculty
Technology, Policy and Management, Technology, Policy and Management
More Info
expand_more

Published Date

08-05-2024

Language

English

Reuse Rights

Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.

Faculty

Technology, Policy and Management

Abstract

The reimbursement scheme in geriatric rehabilitation (GR) contains stepwise tariffs depending on both the length of stay and treatment intensity: after a pre-determined number of inpatient days or treatment hours, the total reimbursement jumps to a higher level and then stays constant until the next threshold is reached. These discontinuous reimbursements may distort physicians’ behaviour in a way that is detrimental to the efficiency of care provision. This thesis examines whether these behavioural distortions are present regarding GR and, if so, which factors are associated with stronger distortions on a GR provider level. For this goal, GR claims data from health insurer CZ covering the years 2017–2023 are used. Furthermore, this thesis qualitatively assesses the possible consequences of the proposed changes in the payment system of GR, including the abolition of the current stepwise tariffs, using insights from GR claims data and economic theory.

Files

MSc_Thesis_EPA_Sabine_Verbunt.... (pdf)
(pdf | 1.06 Mb)
Unknown license