Which classification system groups inpatient hospital cases that are expected to require similar resources?

The classification system that groups inpatient hospital cases expected to require similar resources is the Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG). DRGs are used to categorize hospital cases into groups that are clinically similar and that are expected to consume similar amounts of hospital resources. This classification facilitates the implementation of prospective payment systems, where hospitals receive a fixed payment based on the DRG associated with a patient's diagnosis.

The purpose of DRGs is to streamline healthcare reimbursement and monitor the quality and efficiency of care. By grouping cases with similar characteristics, it helps insurers, including Medicare, to determine appropriate payment rates for various inpatient services. The system incentivizes hospitals to manage their resources effectively, as they receive a predetermined payment regardless of the actual costs incurred.

In contrast, the other options represent different entities or systems that are not primarily focused on classifying inpatient cases by resource utilization. The Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) is the payment structure that utilizes DRGs, but it does not classify the cases itself. CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) is the federal agency overseeing these programs but does not classify cases. MAC (Medicare Administrative Contractors) are organizations that manage claims and payment processes but do not function as a classification system. Hence, DRG is the correct