site.btaMedical Association Criticizes Proposed Health Insurance Model

113 POLITICS-HEALTHCARE-NEW MODEL-BMA-STATEMENT

Medical Association
Criticizes
Proposed Health Insurance Model


Sofia, July 18 (BTA) - In a statement on Thursday, the Bulgarian Medical Association (BMA) said that a draft health insurance model, which was presented on July 15, lacks actual cost estimations, forecasts, risk and impact assessment.

Under the new model, private insurance funds will compete with the National Health Insurance Fund and patients will be able to choose between insurers.

The branch organization voices concerns over the fact that private insurers will administer the same public revenues collected from compulsory health insurance. The BMA expected that the new model will build upon the existing one and put in place conditions for real competition.

A patient's right to select who will treat them should not be replaced by a choice of who will fund their treatment.

The Association is adamant that if the concept is implemented, the basic package of medical services should have minimum rates for providers of medical services and they should be guaranteed. Under the new model prices will be agreed between the medical insurers and the providers of medical services.

The BMA strongly opposes the idea that doctors should negotiate price with the much more powerful insurance funds.

The new model won't solve the problems with staff shortages, the uneven distribution of medical services in the country and the problem with the large number of uninsured patients.

The BMA suggests that the introduction of a national health insurance information system and patient electronic records, actual cost evaluation of medical services and of the labour of healthcare professionals and a clear definition of activities included in an auxiliary package of medical services. LI/PP