Minimally Invasive, Minimally Reimbursed? Anesthesia for Endoscopic Cardiac Surgery Is Not Reflected Adequately in the German Diagnosis-Related Group System

It was shown that (1) endoscopic cardiac surgery consumed more anesthesia resources and was underreimbursed both relative to actual costs and to conventional surgery, (2) costs for such anesthesia services were inappropriately reflected in the G-DRG system, and (3) a DRG system's inability to adapt timely to innovative procedures may adversely affect anesthesia departments and medical progress.