[GreenLight laser therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia: dilemma of reimbursement in the DRG system]

KTP or GreenLight laser vaporization of the prostate has increasingly become an established approach in the last 5 years. Since the additional costs for this treatment were initially not included in the DRG system, there was an extra possibility in 2000-2007 for billing these services as so-called new methods of examination and treatment. Since 2008 there is a new DRG (M11Z) for this procedure, but it does not cover the costs incurred. The reasons for this are to be found in the inhomogeneous assignment of costs by the clinics conducting the calculations. An improved cost reflection can only be expected by concerted action on the part of those hospitals designated as calculators that administer GreenLight laser therapy.