Switzerland crossed a step towards a unified payment for the hospital services . The actors of health system gathered within SwissDRG opted for the introduction of the German system of fixed prices by case. After adaptation, it should be actual from 2008. 

The model G-DRG (for German Diagnosis Related Groups) was preferred, by three voices(votes) against two, to another very similar product distributed by an American firm, indicated the SwissDRG association on Monday in a communiqué. The German model, developed by hospitals and boxes disease, is not commercial, clarifies the text.

Rates at fixed rate by case

This system of fixed prices by cases linked to services should be introduced into all the Swiss's hospitals and with the compulsory welfare (compulsory health insurance, accident (eng) insurance, serviceman and incapacity). " The choice of this system will allow to cross a step mattering towards the reform of the hospitable financing ", affirmed SwissDR. It will be possible to compare performances of hospitals. These will be more transparent and paid according to identical principles, clarifies the association. The technical works with the aim of the introduction of the tariff system will last until 2007. It should be actual, gradually, from 2008.

The partner association SwissDRG was pronounced in favor of the German system G-DRG of remuneration by case. This tariff structure should be adapted to the situation of our country and should be introduced since 2008 for remuneration to the national level of the hospitable benefits in residential environment.

The competent organs of the organizations members of SwissDRG. central associations the physicians (FMH), the hospitals (H+), the Health insurers (santésuisse), of the accident insurers, invalidity and military (CTM) and Conference of the sanitary directors (CDS). were pronounced majoritairement in favor of the model German G-DRG (German Diagnosis Related Groups). At the time of the final selection, it was necessary to choose between the G-DRG system and another of the firm 3M named IR-DRG. The two systems differentiate themselves mainly by the form of collaboration with the supplier of the system. G-DRG is a non commercial product that belongs to the German self-management (hospitals and health insurers), while IR-DRG is distributed by the American firm 3M. The two systems can be judged on the other hand like being fundamentally equivalent. So he/it is hardly only astonishing the five central associations (FMH, H+, santésuisse, CTM and CDS) chose the system German GDRG that to a weak majority of 3 votes against 2. This system of lump sum by linked cases to the benefits is destined to be introduced not only in all hospitals of Switzerland but also by all obligatory social insurances (obligatory health- accident insurance -, military and invalidity). The choice of this system will permit to clear an important step toward the reform of the hospitable financing. The benefits of the hospitals will be thus comparable, more transparent and gainful according to identical principles.

On the basis of G-DRG it will be undertaken of the adaptations to the situation of our country ("helvetisation"). The technical works in view of the introduction of the system will continue until 2007. The efficient introduction of the tariff system should begin gradually since 2008.

SwissDRG can count on a large support of Germany in the adaptation and the maintenance of the system. The competent German institute (Institut für das Entgeltsystem im Krankenhaus, InEK) is going to conclude with the SwissDRG association a contract of cooperation that, besides the financial questions bound to the acquisition of the system, rule in detail the set of the benefits provided in the setting of the collaboration. The contractual negotiations have already been led.