Unterfinanzierung der Kinderheilkunde in Deutschland

With the introduction of generalised compensation of medical services in Germany on the basis of the German diagnosis-related groups (G-DRGs), paediatric institutions have the disadvantage that adults and children are compensated the same way. The Institut für das Entgeltsystem im Krankenhaus (Institute for the Payment System in Hospitals; InEK) has tried to solve this compensation problem for some DRGs with a split based on patient age. A study of working time from the Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University in Greifswald for the most common DRG shows how great the shortfall base on InEK guidelines is and whether the planned split based on patient age of this DRG in the DRG Catalogue 2008 will improve the financial situation. Furthermore, the authors point out possibilities for proper compensation of paediatric care in the G-DRG system.