[Application of the new coding standards for introducing diagnosis related groups (DRGs) in ophthalmology]

For all in-patients a fundamental change of hospital financing based only on diagnosis related groups (DRGs) is planned in Germany for 2004. Patients are grouped into different DRGs according to their coded diagnoses, operations and procedures. Hence, the quality of coding is essential for adequate reimbursement of cases and thus for hospital financing. The legal framework of coding is supplied by the so-called "general and special coding guidelines for coding diseases and procedures", presented jointly by the associations representing hospitals and public and private health insurance companies in early 2002. These German coding standards regulate how coding must be performed in daily practice and therefore have a major influence on the grouping of patients into DRGs. Because of their importance this paper describes the practical application of current coding standards. Specifically in Ophthalmology the problem exists that for many procedures adequate coding numbers are still missing, thus impairing further development of the DRG system.