International comparison of orthotic brace prices

Simoens, Steven; Guillaume, Paul; Moldenaers, Ingrid; Depoorter, Antony; De Coster, Sandra; Van den Steen, Dirk; Van de Sande, Stefaan; Debruyne, Hans; Ramaekers, Dirk; Lona, Murielle

doi:10.1007/s10198-008-0112-7

International comparison of orthotic brace prices

Author:

Simoens, Steven

Guillaume, Paul ; Moldenaers, Ingrid ; Depoorter, Antony ; De Coster, Sandra ; Van den Steen, Dirk ; Van de Sande, Stefaan ; Debruyne, Hans ; Ramaekers, Dirk ; Lona, Murielle

Keywords:

Braces, Canada, Europe, Health Expenditures, Humans, Social Sciences, Science & Technology, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Economics, Health Policy & Services, Business & Economics, Health Care Sciences & Services, Orthotics, Brace, Prices, International perspective, 1117 Public Health and Health Services, 1402 Applied Economics, 3801 Applied economics, 4206 Public health, 4407 Policy and administration

Abstract:

This study compared market prices (i.e. third-party reimbursement and patient co-payment) of prefabricated neck, wrist and knee braces in Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Ontario (Canada) and the UK. Data were collected through contacts with health authorities, health insurance funds, manufacturers and distributors. Market prices varied substantially between countries, indicating that manufacturers adapt their price setting strategy to the policy environment and the structure of the brace market of a country. Belgian prices tended to exceed prices in other countries for the selected neck, wrist and knee braces. There seems to be scope for reducing Belgian prices of selected braces.