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  • Title: Hospital cost and efficiency under per service and per case payment in Maryland: a tale of the carrot and the stick.
    Author: Salkever DS, Steinwachs DM, Rupp A.
    Journal: Inquiry; 1986; 23(1):56-66. PubMed ID: 2937730.
    Abstract:
    The simultaneous operation of per case and per service payment systems in Maryland, and the varying levels of stringency used in setting per case rates, allows a comparison of the effects of differing incentive structures on hospital costs. This paper presents such a comparison with 1977-1981 data. Regressions performed on cost-per-case and total cost data indicate that costs were lower only when per case payment limits were very stringent. Positive net revenue incentives appeared to be insufficient to induce a reduction in length of stay or ancillary services use. These changes in medical practice patterns thus appear more likely under the threat of financial losses--that is, under the threat of the stick rather than the inducement of the carrot.
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