Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

Background: Healthcare services pricing is one of the most important policy tools affecting access, equity, efficiency, and quality in a health system. The healthcare services tariffs were increased due to the health transformation plan (HTP) implementation in Iran. This study aimed to examine the effects of HTP on the surgical and anesthesia procedures’ tariffs.
Methods: This descriptive and longitudinal study compared the tariffs of surgical and anesthesia procedures from 2011-2017. Data sources were the California tariff (2011 Edition) and the relative value of health services (2017 edition) books. Data was categorized and weighted and the average and percentage of changes were calculated using excel software. Then, Data was analyzed by SPSS software (version 18) using paired t-test statistics.
Results: The average of surgery unit was increased 124% in the first year of HTP implemenbtation and then increased by 8.6% in the second year of the HTP implemenbtation. After then, it has remained steady. The average of anesthesia unit was increased by 19.2% in the first year of the HTP implementation and was decreased by 2.9% in the second year of the HTP implementation. The differences between values were statistically significant (p<0.001)
Conclusion: The healthcare services tariff had been almost doubled due to the HTP implementation which increased the financial burden on the Iran health system. Using preospective payment methods is recommended for controlling the health system costs.