A German perspective on hybrid diagnosis-related group

In Germany, the introduction of hybrid diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) represents an effort to reduce the proportion of inpatient care and thereby lower healthcare costs for statutory health insurance funds.

At the same time, a system of incentives is being introduced to promote outpatient treatment. This shift leads to financial losses in the hospital sector, while potentially generating financial gains for providers in the statutory outpatient care sector; however, the current political and regulatory environment does not support stable investment in sector-specific remuneration - neither in the private practice sector nor within hospitals. Whether the anticipated cost savings for health insurance funds will actually be realised remains uncertain.

The implementation of hybrid DRGs carries the risk that patients with significant comorbidities may receive less reliable perioperative care. The broader impact on patient outcomes and overall care quality has yet to be determined.