title: Rationale and design of the health economics evaluation registry for remote follow-up: TARIFF.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of the study are to develop a cost-minimization analysis from the hospital perspective and a cost-effectiveness analysis from the third payer standpoint, based on direct estimates of costs and QOL associated with remote follow-ups, using Merlin@home and Merlin.net, compared with standard ambulatory follow-ups, in the management of ICD and CRT-D recipients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Remote monitoring systems can replace ambulatory follow-ups, sparing human and economic resources, and increasing patient safety. TARIFF is a prospective, controlled, observational study aimed at measuring the direct and indirect costs and quality of life (QOL) of all participants by a 1-year economic evaluation. A detailed set of hospitalized and ambulatory healthcare costs and losses of productivity that could be directly influenced by the different means of follow-ups will be collected. The study consists of two phases, each including 100 patients, to measure the economic resources consumed during the first phase, associated with standard ambulatory follow-ups, vs. the second phase, associated with remote follow-ups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Remote monitoring systems enable caregivers to better ensure patient safety and the healthcare to limit costs. TARIFF will allow defining the economic value of remote ICD follow-ups for Italian hospitals, third payers, and patients. The TARIFF study, based on a cost-minimization analysis, directly comparing remote follow-up with standard ambulatory visits, will validate the cost effectiveness of the Merlin.net technology, and define a proper reimbursement schedule applicable for the Italian healthcare system.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  NCT01075516.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, San Filippo Neri Hospital, Via Martinotti 20, 00135 Rome, Italy. renatopietroricci@tin.it
authors.forename: Renato P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Ricci
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Onofrio
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Padeletti
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sagone
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vicentini
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vincenti
authors.forename: Loredana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Morichelli
authors.forename: Ciro
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cavallaro
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ricciardi
authors.forename: Leonida
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lombardi
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fusco
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rovaris
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Silvestri
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Guidotto
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pollastrelli
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santini
mesh_terms: D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics; D058406:Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics*; D058409:Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Devices / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D017046:Cost Savings; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics*; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics* / Q000295:instrumentation; D017048:Health Care Costs; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006801:Humans; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement; D007558:Italy; D018803:Models, Economic; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000191:economics* / Q000295:instrumentation; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012042:Registries; D012107:Research Design; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000191:economics* / Q000295:instrumentation; D013686:Telemetry / Q000191:economics* / Q000295:instrumentation; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome