Cost containment (DRGs): a new source for litigation?
The DRG prospective payment program has been instituted primarily to contain health care costs. These cost controls will affect how medicine is currently practiced. Cost efficiency does not necessarily equal medical safety. Premature discharge and manipulation of diagnoses to improve hospital reimbursement may occur. Such practices could lead to increased physician professional liability, varying standards of care, and hospital negligence liability.
D003363:Cost Control / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups; D006761:Hospitals; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006278:Medicare; D010820:Physicians; D011445:Prospective Payment System; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms; D014481:United States