Slovak State Health Insurance Undervalues Regional Hospitals Compared to Private Chains

The Slovak State General Health Insurance (Všeobecná zdravotná poisťovňa, VšZP) pays significantly lower per‑unit reimbursements to the regional hospitals of the Žilina Region (ŽSK) than to private hospital networks Penta Hospitals and Agel. For the same casemix unit, VšZP reimbursed about €3,029, while Penta received roughly €3,403 and Agel about €3,499 – a shortfall of €374‑€470 per unit for ŽSK hospitals.

ŽSK hospitals met all assigned program targets and achieved results comparable to other facilities of the same category, according to regional health director Silvie Pekarčíková. The lower payments, however, reduced overall financing for the region’s hospitals and were described by the regional health authority as discriminatory. VšZP responded that it has taken steps toward fairer financing, noting that it now directly pays for services provided to its insured members and that about 78 % of the effective casemix is covered.