[A review of methods for controlling medical costs from the point of view of cost-effectiveness].

ABSTRACT

Cost-effectiveness analysis is a method used to evaluate the outcomes and costs of treatments or interventions designed to improve health. It has been widely regarded as an important aid to providing health care services efficiently. This paper reviews several measures for controlling medical costs in Japan, where a fee-for-service system is employed to remunerate for medical services provision. From the point of view of cost-effectiveness, the first step in health care reform for controlling medical costs should be minimizing useless medical services because the cost-effectiveness ratio of these tends to infinity. For the purpose of minimizing unserviceable provision in the field of medicine, two approaches must be considered. One is establishing a system so that physicians can act as perfect agencies for their patients. The other is encouraging academic research on the effectiveness of medical services.