title: The organization and financing of dialysis and kidney transplantation services in New Zealand.
abstract: In New Zealand, patients receive treatment for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) within the tax-funded health system. All hospital and specialist outpatient services are free, while general practitioner consultations and pharmaceuticals prescribed outside of hospitals incur copayments. Total ESRD prevalence is 0.07%, half the U.S. rate, and the prevalence of home-based and self-care dialysis is the highest in the world. Medical staff are not subject to direct financial incentives that could affect treatment choice. Estimated total expenditure per ESRD patient is relatively low. Funding constraints encourage physicians and patients to consider the probable benefit of dialysis for a patient before treatment is prescribed.
authors.affiliation: Health Economics, Centre for Health Services Research and Policy, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. t.ashton@auckland.ac.nz
authors.forename: Toni
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ashton
authors.forename: Mark Roger
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Marshall
mesh_terms: D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017048:Health Care Costs; D015276:Health Care Rationing / Q000458:organization & administration; D006302:Health Services Research; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000191:economics*; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000191:economics*; D012648:Self Care / Q000191:economics