Hospital billing for birthing services: an alternative model to fee-for-service

Objective: To propose an alternative model to hospital fee-for-service billing by using bundled service charges. Methods: This was documentary, exploratory, descriptive research based on secondary data, using a quantitative approach, conducted in three stages: I - hospital cost survey; II - choice of caring protocols; III - development of bundled services. The hospital costs of the birthing service in a public maternity hospital were analyzed from 2014 to 2016. Protocols were also considered to create bundled services, based on the birth indications of the Ministry of Health and the National Commission for Incorporation of Technologies (Conitec), in the quality-adjusted life-year indicators (QALY and patient safety indicators. Results: Considering the patient's state of health, three bundles were developed, classified as Bundle 1, 2 and 3. The normal risk pregnant woman was classified as Bundle 1, with an mean cost of R$9,652.63; the high-risk pregnant woman was classified as Bundle 2, presenting a mean cost of R$18,557.99; and, the extreme-risk pregnant woman was classified as Bundle 3, with a mean cost of R$41,386.49. Conclusion: When hospitalized, the parturient is classified according to the level of risk present. Therefore, both the patient and the health providers can estimate the costs associated with specific levels of care. This strategy can reduce the amount of documentation, allowing more time for patient care, following standardized care protocols. The methodology can be replicated in any public or private institution, taking into account its costs, and the quality indicators for care.