北區全民健康保險後復健醫療費用成長分析研究

This study analyzes the structure and trends of costs associated with rehabilitation services under the National Health Insurance program. Statistical analysis was performed for costs associated with in-patient and out-patient rehabilitation services in northern Taiwan. 86.97% to 88.07% of total six-month costs were declared for out-patients. Most of the moderate items for physical therapy and occupational therapy were prescribed for out-patients. In contrast, most of the complicated items for physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy were done for in-patients, especially at medical centers. Comparing the period from January to June of 1998 with the same period of 1997, six-month prescriptions increased 16.57% and 28.89% for physical therapy and occupational therapy, respectively; however, those same prescriptions for speech therapy decreased 1.03%. In sum, cost of rehabilitation services increased over the past two years. A majority of the increases were found at LMD clinics, particularly at orthopedic clinics. However, the rehabilitation department had less than a 10% increase in total costs.