Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the implementation of a new payment reform in China's healthcare system, focusing on a disease-based payment model to enhance efficiency and control costs in medical services [1][2]. Summary by Sections Payment Reform Overview - The National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) has introduced the "Interim Measures for the Management of Disease-Based Payment" to promote a multi-faceted payment reform primarily based on disease categories [1]. - The new measures will establish a dynamic adjustment mechanism for disease grouping schemes, with adjustments occurring approximately every two years [1][2]. Disease-Based Payment Mechanism - Disease-based payment involves grouping diseases or calculating values to implement a "bundled payment" system for medical institutions [2]. - The NHSA has been actively promoting disease-based payment for inpatient medical expenses, focusing on two pilot projects: Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRG) and Disease-Based Value Payment (DIP) [2]. - Adjustments to the DRG grouping scheme will maintain stability in major diagnostic categories while focusing on core and detailed subgroup adjustments [2]. Key Policies and Measures - The new measures clarify policies, key technologies, core elements, and supporting measures related to disease-based payment, emphasizing rigid total budget management [2]. - The NHSA will incorporate disease-based payment requirements into agreement management, enhance monitoring and evaluation of reform effectiveness, and strengthen fund supervision [2]. Special Case Mechanism - A "special case negotiation" mechanism has been established to support medical institutions in treating complex and severe patients, allowing for reasonable use of new drugs and technologies [3]. - Cases eligible for special negotiation include those with long hospital stays, high resource consumption, and complex conditions that do not fit standard payment models [3]. Impact on Medical Institutions - The shift from fee-for-service to disease-based payment encourages medical institutions to control costs while still generating revenue [5]. - Institutions can apply for special case negotiations for patients requiring extensive resources or new treatments, ensuring adequate care [5]. Impact on Patients - The reform does not alter the patient discharge settlement experience, and patients may see a reduction in out-of-pocket expenses due to fewer unnecessary medical services [6]. - The NHSA has not imposed restrictions on hospital stays, and any coercive practices by medical institutions regarding discharge will be strictly addressed [6].

Core Viewpoint - The National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) has officially issued the "Interim Measures for the Management of Disease-Specific Payment in Medical Insurance," aiming to reform the payment system primarily based on disease categories, establishing a dynamic adjustment mechanism for disease grouping schemes every two years [1] Summary by Relevant Sections Payment Reform - The new payment method involves grouping diseases or calculating scores to implement "bundled payments" to medical institutions, requiring dynamic adjustments to adapt to clinical changes due to rapid advancements in medical technology [1] - The NHSA has been promoting disease-specific payment for inpatient medical expenses, conducting pilot programs for Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRG) and Disease-Specific Payment (DIP) [1][5] Key Policies and Mechanisms - The "Interim Measures" clarify policies, key technologies, core elements, and supporting measures related to disease-specific payments, emphasizing rigid total budget management and the need for reasonable expenditure budgeting [1] - The measures also incorporate requirements for disease-specific payments into agreement management, enhance monitoring and evaluation of reform effectiveness, and strengthen fund supervision [1] Special Case Payment Mechanism - A dedicated section in the measures supports medical institutions in treating complex and severe patients, allowing for a "special case single negotiation" mechanism for cases that are not suitable for standard disease payment [2][5] - Cases eligible for special negotiation include those with long hospital stays, high resource consumption, and the use of new drugs or technologies [2] Impact on Patients and Institutions - The shift from itemized payments to disease-specific payments aims to reduce unnecessary medical services, potentially lowering the out-of-pocket expenses for patients [6] - The NHSA has stated that there are no restrictions on hospital stays, and any coercive practices by medical institutions to discharge patients prematurely will be strictly addressed [6]

Core Viewpoint - The National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) has released the "Interim Measures for Disease-Specific Payment Management," aiming to reform the medical insurance payment system to establish a unified, efficient, and standardized mechanism that supports the high-quality development of medical institutions [1] Summary by Relevant Sections Payment System Reform - The new measures focus on disease-specific payment as a key aspect of the medical insurance payment reform [1] - The goal is to create a nationwide unified payment mechanism that is effective and collaborative [1] Budget Management - The measures emphasize the importance of total budget management, requiring reasonable expenditure budget preparation and establishing a rigid total for disease-specific payments [1] Grouping Scheme - The measures specify the formulation and adjustment of grouping schemes, detailing the responsible parties, framework, supporting data, and adjustment content, with a principle of biennial adjustments [1] Core Elements and Supporting Measures - The measures clarify the definitions of key elements such as weight, rate, and payment standards, mandating that the NHSA collaborates with medical institutions to reach consensus [1] - It also standardizes supporting measures related to medical insurance payments, including special case negotiations, advance payments, opinion collection, negotiation, and data publication to enhance the scientific level of medical insurance payments [1]