Reducing healthcare costs - implementation counts!
Consumer Protection welcomes the cost containment measures announced by the Federal Council in the healthcare sector, in particular the introduction of a reference price system and the improvement of billing controls. It is now crucial that these sensible measures are implemented quickly and effectively and not watered down by lobbyists in parliament or by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).
Nor must it be the case that health care providers, health insurers and the pharmaceutical industry are responsible for the Cost increases further be passed on to the weakest, the insured and patients.
An expert report for the attention of the Federal Council proposes various cost containment measures for the healthcare system that have proven successful in various countries. Based on this, the Federal Council has now decided on initial measures to curb the increase in costs and premiums. Consumer Protection welcomes two measures in particular.
Reference price system
Generic drugs cost up to six times(!) as much in Switzerland as in other European countries. With a reference price system, these unrealistic prices can be reduced to a reasonable level without any loss of quality and hundreds of millions of Swiss francs can be saved every year: Those who insist on an expensive drug from interchangeable drugs without any reason will only be reimbursed for part of the price. However, if there are medical reasons for a particular preparation, it will continue to be reimbursed in full - regardless of the price.
Invoice control
Many patients do not receive a copy of doctor and hospital bills. Although the service providers thus violate the law, the FOPH remains inactive and does not perform its supervisory function. In addition, the invoices are hardly understandable for laypersons. This makes it impossible for most patients to check their bills. Consumer protection repeatedly receives reports about incorrect, much too high doctor and hospital bills. But even the health insurers often do not take their responsibility in the invoice control. Even when they are informed by insured persons about incorrect bills, they pay them without batting an eye. This also leads to unnecessary increases in costs and premiums.
Consumers are suffering more and more from the steadily rising health insurance premiumsAt the same time, savings are being made in premium reductions. Up to 20% of the population is already foregoing medical treatment for financial reasons. Nevertheless, the rising costs are increasingly being passed on to the weakest, the patients and the insured. The most recent example is the increase in deductibles announced yesterday. Instead, the problem should be tackled at the root: With the service providers, the pharmaceutical industry and the health insurers, who are responsible for the cost increase. However, they are covered by their lobbyists in parliament and benefit from the FOPH, which only half-heartedly exercises its supervisory function. It is now important that the good proposals of the Federal Council are nevertheless effectively implemented.
Text: Foundation for Consumer Protection
