Negotiations with representatives of outpatient health care providers on their refinancing continue. The Ministry of Health would like to present a solution by the end of the week. All three health insurers hope to reach a mutually acceptable agreement. This is clear from the statements made by all parties to TASR. "Negotiations on this topic continue today. The Ministry of Health is making every effort to communicate to the representatives of the outpatient sector, as well as to the public, by the end of this week a solution to the problems related not only to the increase in energy prices," Petra Lániková, spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health, told TASR. She reminds that citizens have the right to free health care based on health insurance, which will continue to be provided to them. Representatives of the outpatient sector are demanding its immediate refinancing. They point to the increase in energy prices and operating costs, which they are unable to continue to finance without the state's help. Therefore, several outpatient clinics have already introduced charges for patients to cover operating costs. Members of the Association of Private Doctors (ASL) plan to introduce the fees from 1 February. The Slovak Chamber of Physicians also warns that without additional funding, there is a risk that providers will not enter into a contract with the National Health Insurance Fund and patients will have to pay for their own healthcare.
Source: TASR
