The remuneration model defining care: why is inefficiency in elderly care rewarded?

Abstract

The hegemonic remuneration model in health services in many countries, both in public and private systems is still fee-for-service. This is characterized, essentially, by the stimulus to the competition for doing procedures and remuneration by quantity of services produced (volume). It is not enough to change the remuneration model without changing the care model, as both are interdependent. What is important in choosing a differentiated remuneration model is if it is appropriate to the type of assistance performed and the objective to be achieved. Throughout years of applying a particular care model associated to a compensation model, a whole health system is shaped and programmed to deliver this result. This is the main discussion to be made nowadays. Some of the problems that we have in our health system, especially the supplementary one, and that primarily affect the elderly, are a consequence of the model adopted decades ago. In order to deal with this new and urgent demand from society, alternative remuneration models must be implemented to break with the vicious circle of succession of fragmented health care of the elderly, as well as the production of procedures disconnected from the expected outcome