The health insurance funds will cover the cost of essential medicines and supplies for patients in hospital
An expensive anti-cancer medicine and two medical aids to help hospital doctors fight extremely serious diseases and conditions are included in the reimbursement of the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund (CHIF), says the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
Trastuzumab emtansine for breast cancer has been added to the list of centrally paid medicinal products and medical aids. This medicinal product can only be administered in facilities providing inpatient oncology chemotherapy services for the treatment of adult patients with early-stage primary breast cancer. It is estimated that treatment with this medicinal product results in 1.36 additional years of quality life for patients.
In addition, from 1 March 2023, two innovative medical aids will be centrally paid for by the health insurance funds for medical institutions providing inpatient paediatric and adult neurosurgery services. One of them is the vagus nerve stimulation therapy system for the treatment of depression. This treatment will only be available if the patient has been suffering from a severe form of depression that is resistant to medicines or other treatments for more than a decade, and if he or she wishes to use this treatment.
Another innovation included in the reimbursement is a spinal cord stimulation system for patients suffering from persistent excruciating pain. This medical aid will be available for patients with neuropathic pain after spinal surgery. However, it will only be available as a treatment of last resort when all other treatment options have been tried but have been ineffective in relieving the patient's pain.
Both of these treatment systems can only be prescribed for patients by a committee of doctors.
According to the calculations of the NHIF, the annual costs of the CHIF for oncology medicinal products are expected to amount to around EUR 3.2 million, and the costs for medical aids to EUR 1.9 million. These costs have already been foreseen in the 2023 budget.
(Freepik photo)
The NHIF invites you:
- Read the most important news on Facebook: https://goo.gl/ML8SqJ
- See recent pictures on Instagram: https://goo.gl/tXvpXr
- Watch comprehensive and funny videos on Youtube: https://goo.gl/BPBep2
- Follow exclusive infographics and more in Flickr: https://goo.gl/Hsyhq4
Your questions are welcome by email[email protected]or phone: local (8 5) 232 2222, international +370 5 232 2222
Last updated: 06-03-2023
Related news:
Health budget in 2025: what benefits did we receive?
The right to be informed: what is important to know about reimbursable healthcare
Study reveals: a family doctor’s advice determines the decision to get checked
Unexpected ailments during the holidays: where to turn and what to know