Impact of an innovative case-based payment reform on hospital cost variation: insights from cerebral infarction inpatients in China

Our findings revealed a concentrated distribution of post-reform hospital costs without compromising quality. These findings suggest the effectiveness of case-based payment systems in reducing hospital cost variations and improving healthcare efficiency, potentially because providers adopt more standardised behaviours in response to incentive changes. This study offers insights to other countries on payment systems as leverage to achieve efficient, equitable, and high-value care.