Slovak Ministry of Health to increase outpatient funding

The Slovak Ministry of Health has announced plans to increase funding for the outpatient sector. State Secretary Michal Štofko stated that the ministry is currently analyzing the actual costs of medical services to ensure a fair redistribution of public health insurance expenditures across different medical specialties.

To determine justified costs, the ministry is collecting data from outpatient representatives and the Ministry of Finance, utilizing cost models proposed by five sectoral partners. A final version of the program decree for next year, which outlines the redistribution of funds, is expected to be completed in November.

While doctors have criticized the proposed new catalog of outpatient medical services, Štofko suggested this criticism is a reaction to offers from health insurance companies rather than the legislation itself. Negotiations between outpatient representatives and insurers are ongoing, with discussions shifting toward establishing stable financial corridors or flat-rate payments to guarantee income for clinics.