Hospital Tariffs: A Conceptual Analysis

Tariff setting in the health sector affects the access, efficiency, and quality of healthcare services. However, the concept of hospital tariffs is vague and complicated. Therefore, this study aimed to explain the concept, attributes, antecedents, consequences, assessment indicators of hospital tariff.

This research was conducted using the conceptual review method from January to March 2020. All published articles related to hospital tariff were searched until December 31, 2019, in eight databases (Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Embase, Scopus, Magiran, Iranmedex, and SID). Finally, 41 articles were selected and analyzed.

Hospital tariff is defined as “The price of hospital services set by regulating authorities and purchasers (i.e., the government, health insurer, patients, etc.) that must be paid to the hospital in exchange of services”. The hospital tariff affects health system costs, hospital efficiency, access to health services, and satisfaction of both patients and hospital service providers. The cost of hospital services, the value of services, and the accepted profit are the main elements of hospital tariffs. The cost of hospital services, payment method, competition among hospitals, and the demand for hospital services are the main determinants of hospital tariffs. Cost control, fairness, satisfaction, and transparency are good indicators for evaluating hospital tariffs.

Health policy-makers need to consider the antecedents and consequences of hospital tariffs to satisfy both hospital service providers and customers, improve service quality, increase access to hospital services, and enhance hospital efficiency.