Psychoonkologie und DRG-Fallpauschalen

Psychooncological services are not specifically remunerated in the inpatient care in Germany. The German G-DRG lump sum system principally does consider specific services in the definition of the lump sum and the pricing. However psychooncology was not contemplated in DRG-definitions up to now. One reason for this is the way how G-DRG lump sums are being calculated. A accurate documentation of services and costs is mandatory and in particular for services with personnel expenditures this often is performed insufficient. A completely new remuneration system in Germany will be the outpatient specialist care (§116b SGB V), however one has to wait for further specifications if this will have impact on psychooncological services.