The Systematics of Interdisciplinary Acute Rehabilitation in the German DRG System

Background Interdisciplinary acute inpatient rehabilitation is an intensive rehabilitation intervention during acute medical treatment. Its reimbursement within the German health system is subject to specific structural and procedural requirements. Interdisciplinary acute inpatient rehabilitation has varying effects in the DRG grouping (DRG: diagnosis related groups). Aim To analyze the systematics of interdisciplinary acute rehabilitation in the German DRG system. Methods We displayed the general reimbursement systematics of interdisciplinary acute rehabilitation in the German DRG system. We conducted an anonymized survey of structural characteristics and DRG-related key figures among clinics with corresponding departments. Results The DRG system distinguishes between flat-rate payments per case on the one hand and hospital-specific daily rates on the other hand. The DRGs in the category "acute rehabilitation for diseases and disorders of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue" are the most frequently billed DRGs with a daily rate, according to the survey. A majority of the surveyed hospitals also offer neurological or geriatric acute rehabilitation. Discussion German social law grants a statutory right to receive necessary rehabilitation already in the acute hospital. Understanding the DRG systematics is relevant to provide patients with interdisciplinary acute rehabilitation services.