[Integrated case fees in cardiosurgery--a pilot project for fast-track rehabilitation].

Background: Lengthy recovery and treatment times following cardiosurgical interventions were the motivation for introducing a pilot procedure to integrate acute and rehabilitative treatment structures. The advantage of such a pilot procedure is the medico-economic link between direct transition from acute care to rehabilitation treatment and cutting average case costs. With this in mind, shared case fees for patients following cardiosurgery are being agreed in a pilot project between health insurance companies, acute-care hospitals and rehabilitation clinics.