Understanding the financial implications of APGs (ambulatory patients groups).
The ambulatory patient group (APG) system, a new prospective payment system for reimbursing outpatient services, is being adopted by increasing numbers of third-party payers and may soon be used in the Federal Medicare program. APGs involve the grouping of healthcare services provided during a specified service period. Payment rates are complicated by the assigning of multiple APGs to a single patients encounter and by discounting schedules. APG cost management tools must be developed to assess the financial impact of this complex system.
Abbey
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Abbey & Abbey, Consultants, Inc., Ames, IA, USA.
Blount
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D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000145:classification*; D006801:Humans; D010361:Patients / Q000145:classification*; D011445:Prospective Payment System / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States