site.bta National Framework Agreement on Health Care Signed

National Framework Agreement on Health Care Signed

Sofia, February 28 (BTA) - The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and the Bulgarian Medical Association (BMA) signed the 2017 National Framework Agreement on Tuesday.

Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Ilko Semerdjiev, who acted as a guarantor of the negotiations, said he was really pleased with the dialogue which led to the signing.

BMA Chairman Ventsislav Grozev said the agreement marked the beginning of emphasis on out-of-hospital care and ending the shortage of funds. The new agreement puts an end to limits on hospital financing.

Mihail Hristov, Chairman of the NHIF Supervisory Board, is also satisfied with the terms of the agreement. NHIF Director Glinka Komitov said that for the first time in the 18 years since the NHIF was set up treatment facilities would control their own spending. They will be able to exceed their budgets by 3 per cent. If overspending occurs, lower prices of the clinical pathways which have led to it will be negotiated with the BMA.

One of the main problems left over from the Health Ministry's previous leadership is lack of financial discipline, the Ministry said in a press release. In January 2017, the NHIF paid 51,889,000 leva in carryover debt, and a further 19.8 million leva have to be paid after April 1, bringing the total to over 71 million leva. The National Framework Agreement ensures financing within the limits of the NHIF's budget. Financing increased by over 13 million leva to 200 million leva for primary out-of-hospital care and by over 19 million leva to 219 million leva for specialized out-of-hospital care. Hospital care will be financed with 1,613 million leva.