[Cardiovascular medicine in the updated German diagnosis-related groups (G-DRG) for the year 2004]

Based on the medical and economical data of 137 German hospitals including 12 university hospitals, the Institut für das Entgeltsystem im Krankenhaus (InEK) was again authorized by the German Ministry of Health to calculate and develop a refined version of the German diagnosis related groups (G-DRG) for the year 2004. The catalogue of these updated GDRGs was published on October 15' 2003. Furthermore, the grouper programs containing the current algorithms and the cost data on which the new G-DRGs were based have been published in the last few weeks. With regard to cardiovascular DRGs, a number of changes have been introduced in the G-DRG system which have profound consequences for all departments that treat patients with these diseases. In this review, we want to present in detail the key points of this update concerning the DRGs, extra reimbursement for special interventions, and new codes for diagnoses and procedures. Furthermore, the new rules for readmissions of patients in the same hospital are summarized. In conclusion, a number of improvements have been implemented in the updated G-DRG system which had in part been suggested by several national medical societies. These provide the basis for more precise and detailed DRGs but require on the other hand, a precise and complete coding to allow correct grouping procedures. From an economical point of view, it could hardly be summarized whether these improvements would lead to an adequate reimbursement for the treatment costs of patients with cardiovascular diseases since the case-mix of the various departments may vary widely.