Abstract
Background: A major problem in cost-effectiveness studies is where to draw the line between interventions which are cost-effective and those who are not. Lacking a notion about the value of a QALY, all ultimate values to the cost-effectiveness ratio are essentially arbitrary. Methods: This paper presents a simple empirical model to estimate the compensating income variation of diseases and health problems. The model is estimated using data for the Netherlands. Results: The compensating income variation is between '20,000 and '90,000. This is higher than most of the ultimate values used by policy-makers to decide whether an intervention is costeffective. Our figures are roughly similar to those found in studies about the value of a statistical life year. Conclusion: Estimates on the compensating income variation of diseases and health problems may
provide useful information on the maximum acceptable cost-effectiveness ratio of medical
interventions than those currently used by policy makers.
provide useful information on the maximum acceptable cost-effectiveness ratio of medical
interventions than those currently used by policy makers.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 213 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | BMC Health Services Research |
| Volume | 8 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2008 |