Versicherungsmedizin. 1993 Apr; 45(2): 47-50.

[Cost development in health care with special reference to unconventional procedures]

Burkhard B.

Medizinschen Dienst, Krankenversicherung in Bayern.

The cost of healthcare continues to escalate. At the same time alternative medicine is becoming more popular. Therefore it seems necessary to consider the price of unconventional therapies: they are more expensive than generally supposed. The reasons are distinct modes of therapy, polypragmasy, long term therapies, and consecutive costs. Finally there is the question, whether it is ethical to ask for the cost efficiency ratio in the treatment of seriously ill.