Investigation of reimbursement systems in health and assessment of the reimbursement system used in Turkey

The reimbursement system is the mechanism determining which methods will be used by the paying institution or organization to pay back the health care fees offered to individuals by health care providers, Different payment methods are frequently encounterd such as fee for service, per-diem and DRG. In this study, interviews were conducted using semi-structured interview technique. To the study, persons who have served as senior managers in institutions and hospitals affiliated to the T.R. Ministry of Health, as well as private hospital managers and academicians have participated. The responses of the interviewers to the questions were evaluated by content analysis. As a result of this evaluation, themes were created. In this study, health financing methods and reimbursement methods of selected countries in the world (England, Australia, USA etc.) are examined; the reimbursement method used in our country has been evaluated within the framework of the methods of selected countries. According to the data obtained as a result of semi-structured interview and literature review; In our country, the current situation in the reimbursement system has emerged as unsustainable circumstances not only for the health system but also for service provider and citizens demanding the service. Especially, the concerns about sustainability of healthcare service finance are too much. It has emerged that the main problems in the reimbursement system is the issue of financial sustainability.