Project News

An online workshop on the Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG)-based bundled payment system for inpatient care took place on 22 September 2021 by request from Thai side during the previous workshops. In Thailand, there are voices saying that the amount paid based on DRG might not cover the cost of the medical care provided sometimes. It was expected that know-how in Japan's bundled payment system called Diagnosis Procedure Combination /Per-Diem Payment System (DPC/PDPS) would be helpful to further refine the Thai DRG payment system in the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) with nearly 20 years of experience. A lecturer and a commentator were invited from Japan, and around 70 officials of the National Health Security Office (NHSO) joined.

DRG is recognized worldwide as an effective payment mechanism serving for improving the efficiency of health finance and the quality of medical care, and thus achieving and maintaining Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

A senior officer in charge of operation of DRG payment in the UCS made a presentation on the detailed system and their challenges such as i) setting the payment amount with which medical providers are satisfied and ii) prevention of improper coding i.e., upcoding. In response, the Japanese lecturer explained in depth how the Japan's DPC system reflects the difference in patient severity as well as function and contribution to regional medical care of a hospital in the payment amount by using hospital-specific coefficient. Tips for the claim review and audit system of DRG payment were also shared. Active Q&A and discussion among lecturers and participants deepened the understanding of each system and made the workshop very informative.

The GLO+UHC project supports sharing of the practical knowledge between Thailand and Japan as well as with other countries which intend to introduce DRG payment system.