[Application of diagnosis related groups (DRGs) in ophthalmology in Germany]

Starting on 01.01.2003 the hospital reimbursement system in Germany will be transferred completely to a diagnosis-related groups (DRG) system based on the data of 2001. As the reimbursement system is of vital importance for the development of a speciality, current information is given about the impact of the new payment system on ophthalmology. The Australian AR-DRG system to be adopted in Germany distinguishes 20 DRGs for ophthalmology. The patients are grouped into the DRGs according to their principal diagnoses and comorbidities and the procedures coded by electronic data processing. Errors in coding and missing data may cause reductions in the hospital budget as do economically inhomogeneous DRGs. The tight timetable given by the legislation requires completion of determining DRG groups and weightings by 31.12.2001. However, important prerequisites such as the mapping tables of the Australian DRGs are still missing, which means that hospitals have to prepare for the new system like a pilot flying blind with no instruments.