THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With an aim to cut down on its out-of-pocket expenditures in health service, the state is looking forward to follow a system of packaged rates for financing complicated surgeries involving organ transplantation.
An expert committee constituted to look into the possibilities of developing a costing methodology for bringing down individual expenditure, has already moved ahead in framing a high-end costing procedure for the health service.
The committee, which comprises several health experts of the state, was constituted following several reports, including the report of 71st round of National Sample Survey, indicating that Kerala was among the top states having high out-of-pocket expenditure, especially for inpatient services.
It was formed to assess the cost of complicated surgeries, including organ transplantation, after reports said that exorbitant rates were being charged for such surgeries and organ transplantation in private sector.
Saying that the committee had made considerable progress so far, Director of Gulati Institute of Finance and Taxation D Narayana, who heads the health financing team in the panel, said, “The committee is trying to have more surgical procedures, which will bring in a revolutionary change. We hope to submit our report at the earliest.”
He said a few specialist doctors had submitted the required data, while some were yet to do it.
“The delay in data submission is only because of the doctors’ busy schedule. Still, we have made good headway with the available data. A methodology needs careful development and for this, data is needed. We hope to receive the pending information soon,” he added.
The committee seemingly discussed various approaches regarding costing. It would look into all costs regarding consultation fees, diagnostic test charges, price of drugs and surgical supplies, bed cost (inpatient) and cost of OPD visit. Infrastructure expenses like management costs, building costs, salaries, incentives and other expense heads would also be examined.Besides, the committee would also detail on the activities based on standard treatment guidelines, complications, deviations and co-morbidities for these procedures.