Abstract
The policy frame in this article is the decision on coverage of a medical intervention; will the technology's cost be reimbursed as part of an insurance package? Coverage decisions are taken in both private and public health insurance systems.
This article initially provides a definition of economic evaluation typically undertaken to inform coverage decisions and then introduces a case study, the UK's National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. The problem, reflected in the lack of use of such information, is then outlined, followed by a discussion of how some of the barriers and obstacles to use might be overcome.
One of the main challenges to the health economics community is ‘accessibility’ – the need to produce evidence in a timely and comprehensible manner that is reflective of real world practices. This also highlights a training agenda: clinical and managerial decision makers require some expertise in economic evaluation to facilitate their input in decision making processes. Additional areas of focus for health economists include the need to overcome perceived methodological weaknesses, and to work with those at the front-line to ensure alignment between the objectives assumed in economic analyses and the broader range of other objectives facing decision-makers in reality.
This article initially provides a definition of economic evaluation typically undertaken to inform coverage decisions and then introduces a case study, the UK's National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. The problem, reflected in the lack of use of such information, is then outlined, followed by a discussion of how some of the barriers and obstacles to use might be overcome.
One of the main challenges to the health economics community is ‘accessibility’ – the need to produce evidence in a timely and comprehensible manner that is reflective of real world practices. This also highlights a training agenda: clinical and managerial decision makers require some expertise in economic evaluation to facilitate their input in decision making processes. Additional areas of focus for health economists include the need to overcome perceived methodological weaknesses, and to work with those at the front-line to ensure alignment between the objectives assumed in economic analyses and the broader range of other objectives facing decision-makers in reality.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Encyclopedia of Health Economics |
Editors | Anthony J. Culyer |
Publisher | Elsevier |
Pages | 26-31 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 978-0-12-375679-4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 27 Feb 2014 |
Keywords
- Acceptability
- Accessibility
- Cost-effectiveness analysis
- Coverage decisions
- Economic evaluation
- Reimbursement decisions
- Technology assessment