[Calculation of Standardised Unit Costs for the Economic Evaluation of Mental Disorders]

Introduction: Assessing resource utilisation and costs for treating mental disorders in Germany is difficult. This pertains especially to the numerous non-medical services that are financed by a considerable number of payers. To standardise and simplify cost calculation, we created a database of unit costs for the most important services for mental disorders. Method: We performed a literature and internet search to identify services provided to persons with mental disorders. Unit costs were calculated either by means of public statistics or data directly obtained from payers. If data could not be obtained that way, health care providers were interviewed to collect data relevant for cost estimation. Results: Unit costs were calculated for medical and vocational rehabilitation, assisted living, sociopsychiatric services, counselling centres, daycare facilities, ambulant psychiatric nursing care, occupational therapy, sociotherapy, psychoeducation, caretaker, domestic help, creative therapies, physical therapy, and relaxation techniques. Discussion and Conclusion: Calculating unit costs for non-medical services was essential, since these services constitute a central element in the treatment of persons with mental disorders. Nevertheless, the large amount of different services and payers complicated a comprehensive assessment of costs. Thus, uncertainty associated with the calculation of costs should be taken into account.