[Health economic evaluation of the integrated care project "OPTI-MuM"].
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study is to evaluate the economic performance of a population-based integrated care project in comparison to standard care.


METHODS
The perspective adopted is that of the participating statutory health insurance companies. The well-defined target region allows the distinction of participants and non-participants. The quasi-experimental study design, which is based on routine data of the participating health insurers, is able to reduce the bias caused by the non-randomised group assignment. Based on the year of enrollment two separate cohorts were generated.


RESULTS
The comparison of group differences before and after a propensity score matching shows that this method provides appropriate control groups for both cohorts of participants. Taking into account 4,840 of the 5,164 participants, total savings of € 87,252 were calculated.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that the method of propensity score matching permits a scientifically sound performance measurement for population-based care contracts.
Braun
S
S
Leibniz Universität Hannover, Fakultät für Wirtschaftswissenschaften, Forschungsstelle für Gesundheitsökonomie. sbr@ivbl.uni-hannover.de
Greiner
W
W
D015331:Cohort Studies; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005858:Germany; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015397:Program Evaluation