[Amendments to the German diagnosis-related groups (G-DRG) system for urology in 2012].

The remuneration system of German diagnosis-related groups (G-DRG) is updated every year in a clearly defined process. This article presents all changes relevant for urologists in 2012.

[Economic aspects of the treatment of urinary stones. Results of the German Society for Shock Wave Lithotripsy].

Urolithiasis is the disease that leads to the largest number of inpatient treatments in urologic clinics in Germany. It is very important to know the current rules of remuneration for urinary stone therapy and to adjust the relevant clinical pathways. The German Society for Shock Wave Lithotripsy (DGSWL) stressed these economic aspects at its 2009 consensus meeting, since clinical therapy cannot be free of economic restrictions in the long term.

[GreenLight laser therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia: dilemma of reimbursement in the DRG system].

KTP or GreenLight laser vaporization of the prostate has increasingly become an established approach in the last 5 years. Since the additional costs for this treatment were initially not included in the DRG system, there was an extra possibility in 2000-2007 for billing these services as so-called new methods of examination and treatment. Since 2008 there is a new DRG (M11Z) for this procedure, but it does not cover the costs incurred.

[Calculating the price of a new diagnostic or therapeutic option. Example of transurethral resection of bladder tumors using photodynamic diagnostics with hexaminolevulinic acid].

New diagnostic or therapeutic options (NDTOs) are remunerated separately in the German DRG system. The Institute for Remuneration in Hospitals decides which proposed NDTOs are accepted for separate remuneration for 1 year. With this acceptance, hospitals can enter negotiations with insurance companies for an individual price of the NDTO.

[Relevance of hospitals participating in the DRG calculation for the development of the G-DRG system].

Since the G-DRG system was established for remuneration of inpatient treatment, hospitals may offer the cost data of their cases as a database for the calculation of new DRGs. Therefore, the DRGs will be only as good as the cost data offered. These hospitals must be interested in offering perfect data, since this is the only option to optimize the DRG system.