Analysis and enlightenment of physicians′ strategy faced with healthcare insurance " point method" in Germany based on game theory / 中华医院管理杂志

ABSTRACT

Germany has introduced the " point method" of fee-for-service at the outpatient departments under a global budget system, in an effort to curb medical expenditure growth. The authors employed the game theory to build a physician′s game model under Germany′s point method, illustrating the causes of " increasing points" behaviors of physicians, the negative effects caused by the increase of points as well as the prevention and control measures employed by Germany and its mechanism. Point method payment has been introduced in several areas in China at their inpatient departments, which is delivered to medical service providers via the performance-based distribution model, with the providers affected in their behaviors. As a result, some areas will tend to appear such " increasing points" behaviors as competing for patients, lowering admission criteria, and raising point value. In view of Germany′s experiences, China should adopt such measures as dynamic monitoring system, disclosure of " increasing points " behaviors, perfection of hierarchical medical system, and strengthening the self-governance via medical sector′s associations.