Price Analysis of Therapeutic Materials for General Spinal Surgery by the Type of Wholesalers
10.4332/KJHPA.2020.30.3.409
- Author:
Jinok BYEON
1
;
Juhyang LEE
Author Information
1. Health Insurance Institute, National Health Insurance Service, Wonju, Korea
- Publication Type:ORIGINAL ARTICLE
- From:Health Policy and Management
2020;30(3):409-417
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:0
-
Abstract:
Background:It is well known that the distribution of therapeutic materials is very complex. However, it is not easy to demonstrate the concrete problems caused by distribution channels empirically. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in the price of therapeutic materials according to the type of purchasing agency and the way in which medical institutions purchase therapeutic materials.
Methods:This study compared the claimed prices and the maximum allowable prices for the items of therapeutic material used for general spinal surgery.
Results:Ilsan Hospital, which purchased directly without a purchasing agent, had the lowest claimed prices, followed by a large professional purchasing agency, a foundation-related purchasing agency, and a general purchasing agency. In addition, the difference between the claimed prices and the maximum allowable prices according to the purchase type was larger in the expensive treatment materials, and in the case of the lower price treatment materials, it tended to converge to the maximum allowable prices.
Conclusion:National health insurance spending for therapeutic materials are to be affected by the distribution channels of them. We proposed several ideas to rationalize the expenditure such as classification of therapeutic materials on the basis of price or other criteria.
