Cost-effectiveness in practice
Cost-effectiveness is one criterion that helps us to make responsible choices. It gives us insight into how much “value we are getting” for our money. And whether in some cases it may be better to make a different choice. This is based on the fact that, as a population, we want to get the maximum in health gains for the premiums we pay. And that we do not want the resources to go to patients who could have taken care of their own interests. Naturally, it is also important to bear in mind situations in which exceptions should be made, for instance when people suffer a life-threatening disease for which no alternative treatment exists.