The General Health Insurance Company (VZP) in the Czech Republic is testing a new system for patients undergoing total joint replacements and specific cardiothoracic procedures with low complication risk. The new system aims to provide a comprehensive approach to care, from diagnosis to rehabilitation and will be overseen by a single institution. This will eliminate the need for patients to arrange rehabilitation separately from the hospital. Patients will also be assigned a care coordinator to ensure a smooth transition between phases of care.
The VZP plans to pay for the entire care process in a single package rather than individual procedures. This payment structure will incentivize providers to collaborate and streamline the care process, improving overall efficiency. The VZP Deputy Director for Healthcare, Jan Bodnár, stated that this new system would be more cost-effective and administratively more straightforward for patients.
Data from the VZP shows that some patients do not adequately rehabilitate after joint replacement surgery, which can lead to complications and an increased risk of reoperation. The VZP aims to address this issue by transferring the responsibility of arranging rehabilitation to the care provider.
While the new system is expected to benefit patients, some smaller providers may face challenges. The system’s one-size-fits-all approach may not be appropriate for all institutions, especially those that do not have the resources to provide certain types of care. The Chairman of the Association of Small and Medium-Sized Hospitals, Michal Čarvaš, expressed concern that the new system could disadvantage smaller providers that cannot afford to offer all components of the care package.
The VZP’s new system is part of a broader effort to improve the quality of care and reduce costs. However, switching to a package payment system has raised concerns among some healthcare providers. Some experts worry that this approach could lead to underfunding specific care components or financial losses for providers.
Despite these concerns, the VZP is optimistic that the new system will lead to better patient outcomes and a more efficient healthcare system overall. The success of this new system could serve as a model for other countries grappling with rising healthcare costs and the need for improved patient outcomes.