A Rather Encouraging Response from VZP

ČSH

There has been talk for a long time about the renewed threat of closure of the Prague-based UHKT (Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion), or rather its merger with the General University Hospital. This would have very unfavourable consequences for every one of us. The Society's Council therefore contacted the management of VZP (General Health Insurance Company), which — according to available information — bears the responsibility for such efforts. At the end of the year, the period for which it had a contract signed with UHKT expires, without which no such healthcare facility can simply function.

In recent days, a response arrived signed by Ing. Miloslava Slajsova, Deputy Director for Healthcare. She states that VZP has no power whatsoever to establish or close healthcare facilities, but can influence their operation through negotiations on the scope of reimbursed services.

In this context, she states: This takes place within the restructuring process, where joint negotiations among health insurance companies, the Ministry of Health, professional medical societies, healthcare providers, and state administration bodies are still ongoing, with the active participation of all stakeholders. The restructuring of inpatient care should be completed during 2012, as the existing contracts with inpatient healthcare providers expire on December 31, 2012, with the aim of health insurance payers from 2013 being to enter into contractual relationships with those inpatient healthcare providers whose care is genuinely needed, accessible at all levels, utilized, efficient, high-quality, and meeting all the demands of 21st-century medicine.

In this context, we assume that the highly specialized healthcare provided by the Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion and the Institute of Rheumatology in Prague will remain preserved in 2013 as well."

So much for the quote from the letter. It follows that there is no acute danger, at least not next year, but what comes after remains unknown. It is encouraging that the insurance companies recognize the importance of UHKT. We would truly dislike having the Society, together with other stakeholders, intervene again at the Ministry, as we did four years ago when the situation around UHKT was also very tense. At that time, the Deputy Minister under Minister Tomas Julinek was Marek Snajdr, who now serves as chairman of the VZP Supervisory Board. We will continue to report on further developments around this institute with an excellent reputation.