SK-MED disagrees with non-transparent proposal
Medical device suppliers don’t agree with the unprofessional and non-transparent proposal of VšZP health insurance company
On September 23, VšZP health insurance company hastily announced that as of October 1 it will lower the maximum non-deductible amount for selected special healthcare material (SHM) which VšZP reimburses if the material has been used. This regulation applies to special healthcare material used in inpatient care. This measure should save up to €5 mil. for VšZP by the end of 2016.
However, 23 medical device supplier united in SK-MED association do not approve of this procedure as they view it as non-transparent, unprofessional and unsystematic. VŠZP is a legal party to the categorization procedure and it has already had enough transparent opportunities to influence pricing of SHM, but did not take advantage of it. All such conduct of VšZP leads to distrust.
For a long time now, SK-MED has declared that it backs a transparent procedure of price comparison and referencing of SHM for a long-term sustainability of financing Slovak healthcare in order to ensure modern and effective treatment of patients in Slovakia. SK-MED, however, does not approve of the non-transparent procedures that introduce non-transparency and chaos to cash flows in the healthcare system as well as possible unavailability of selected materials and treatments necessary in healthcare provided by hospitals. In terms of timing of changes, when hospital managements must negotiate the changes in payments with all suppliers within few days (5 days) and adjust the whole financial management, logistics and other processes, such a procedure is really destructive.
In a situation, when the debt of state hospitals to suppliers in SK-MED exceeds €160 mil. and there exist invoices, which are overdue more than 670 days, the planned changes threaten the existence even of the most tolerant and patient suppliers. We perceive the unprofessional and non-transparent steps very negatively and we honestly care about health of patients as well as sound business environment in compliance with the rules of competition.
Suppliers united in SK-MED are sincerely convinced that the market regulation of medical devices which save lives of Slovak patients deserves an open professional discussion and rational reasoning of the changes. We consider price referencing as a transparent tool which is frequently used by economies of other European countries.
ABOUT SK-MED: SK-MED is national association uniting medical device suppliers in Slovakia and is full member of EUCOMED, international health association with registered Office in Brussels that covers national associations of medical device and technology suppliers from all around Europe. SK-MED represents the interests of medical device suppliers operating in Slovak republic. It comprises of 23 members. For more information visit www.skmed.sk.
Contacts for media:
SK-MED, Slovak Association of Medical Device Suppliers, HOTEL BRATISLAVA, Seberíniho 9, 821 03 Bratislava. e-mail: skmed@skmed.sk
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