[Consistency and Reliability of MDK Expertise Examining the Encoding in the German DRG System]. / Einheitlichkeit der richtlinienkonformen Begutachtung durch den Medizinischen Dienst der Krankenversicherung bei der Prüfung der Kodierung im G-DRG-System.

INTRODUCTION: Hospital inpatient stays are reimbursed on the basis of German diagnosis-related groups (G-DRG). The G-DRG classification system is based on complex coding guidelines. The Medical Review Board of the Statutory Health Insurance Funds (MDK) examines the encoding by hospitals and delivers individual expertises on behalf of the German statutory health insurance companies in cases in which irregularities are suspected. A study was conducted on the inter-rater reliability of the MDK expertises regarding the scope of the assessment. METHODS: A representative sample of 212 MDK expertises was taken from a selected pool of 1 392 MDK expertises in May 2013. This representative sample underwent a double-examination by 2 independent MDK experts using a special software based on the 3MTM G-DRG Grouper 2013 of 3M Medica, Germany. The following items encoded by the hospitals were examined: DRG, principal diagnosis, secondary diagnoses, procedures and additional payments. It was analysed whether the results of MDK expertises were consistent, reliable and correct. RESULTS: 202 expertises were eligible for evaluation, containing a total of 254 questions regarding one or more of the 5 items encoded by hospitals. The double-examination by 2 independent MDK experts showed matching results in 187 questions (73.6%) meaning they had been examined consistently and correctly. 59 questions (23.2%) did not show matching results, nevertheless they had been examined correctly regarding the scope of the assessment. None of the principal diagnoses was significantly affected by inconsistent or wrong judgment. CONCLUSION: A representative sample of MDK expertises examining the DRG encoding by hospitals showed a very high percentage of correct examination by the MDK experts. Identical MDK expertises cannot be achieved in all cases due to the scope of the assessment. Further improvement and simplification of codes and coding guidelines are required to reduce the scope of assessment with regard to correct DRG encoding and its examination.

[The position of the sociomedical expert in the Medical Services of German Statutory Sickness Insurance Bodies (MDK) as influenced by changing challenges]. / Zur Stellung des sozialmedizinischen Experten im Medizinischen Dienst der Krankenversicherung (MDK) unter dem Einfluss sich wandelnder Anforderungen.

The "Medical Services of the German Statutory Sickness Insurance Bodies (MDK)" is a non-profit organisation providing socio-medical specialist advice to the German Statutory Health and Nursing Care Insurances. Facing demographic changes as well as progress in medicine, highly qualified expertises and consultations are of increasing importance to manage the social security system and to continue to develop its structure. Sociomedical assignments of the MDK as applied health science is so far mainly related to individual aspects of insured persons (case management) but more and more to general aspects such as quality, consumer protection, efficiency, guiding concepts and organisation of the health care system. Based on its widespread experience, profound knowledge and confidence in its expertise the MDK is aware of its great sociopolitical responsibility and faces the wide range of assignments with regard to personneldevelopment and organisational innovations. Identification with principles of genuine medical practice, creating a modern job profile, and exercising creative power in accordance with the fundamental social legislation. This characterises the self-image and roleperception of medical experts of the MDK.

[Classification of social medical products provided by the German Medical Services of the Statutory Health Insurance in Hessen]. / Zur Klassifikation sozialmedizinischer Leistungen des Medizinischen Dienstes der Krankenversicherung in Hessen nach Produktgruppen1.

Based on agreements presented by a task force the German Medical Services of the Statutory Health Insurance in Hessen developed its own classification of social medical assignments. According to economic systematics they were arranged in groups of external and internal products reflecting providing services in form of medical expertises and fulfilment of legal obligations. Further typologisation of the products can be achieved by relational marks. Documentation based on this classification as a part of social medical controlling supports modern planning and management concepts. This way practical sociomedicine as an applied health science makes its contribution to economic efficiency of the statutory health care system.

["Managed care"--perspectives in Germany]. / "Managed care"--Perspektiven in Deutschland.

There is a public discussion in Politics and Health services whether managed care should be realized in Germany. The German Medical Services of the Statutory Health Insurance (MDK) are also involved and have great interest and an opinion about this topic because the introduction of managed care or elements of managed care will influence the cooperation between the MDK and the German Statutory Health Insurance. The following article informs on certain elements of managed care already practised in Germany and discusses which of these elements can be used more intensively in the future according to Social Laws and developed structures.

[Managed care--a possibility for German Health Insurance?]. / Managed care--eine Perspektive für die GKV?

Health services systems in nearly all developed countries face similar problems. This fact raises the question whether concepts used in different countries can be changed without affecting the historically grown foundations of national health services as have been accepted by majority. A group of experts of the German Medical Services of the Statutory Health Insurance were asked to analyse whether the managed care approach could play a substantial role in reforming the German "Bismarck model", given that the advisory responsibility of the social medical service for the sick funds is respected in such a consideration and that basic essentials of the system are maintained. The group concludes, in brief, that managed care and the "German model" are contradictory in respect of preconditions, aims and assumed results. Furthermore, the experts share the view that the "German model" incorporates sufficient to cope with its problems without changing the nature of health services, based on principles of solidarity in Germany. The system needs structural reforms rather than changes in monetary mechanisms.