The coordinated care program was supposed to bring better quality services to patients, but instead it is starting to generate financial problems for PCP clinics. Despite the fact that already one-third of POZ clinics have joined the program, in many regions the National Health Service has still not paid out for overages. This delay could seriously affect the operation of outpatient clinics and slow down the development of coordinated care.
Zielonogórska Porozumienie Zielonogórskie: Coordinated care instead of bonuses for doctors generates losses
Published Sept. 30, 2024 07:52
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- This is the situation in Silesia, Podlasie, Lesser Poland and Łódź provinces, among others. Many PCP clinics have not received due payments since June. We are talking about serious amounts - from tens to even hundreds of thousands of zlotys, which is beginning to threaten the loss of financial liquidity of some POZ clinics. This is a serious problem, which is why I hope that it will be noticed by the NFZ and resolved as soon as possible," says Tomasz Zieliński, vice-president of the Zielonogórska Porozumienie Zielonogórskie Federation.
Starting in October 2022, patients using primary care POZ can look forward to changes that bring a whole new quality to the treatment process. We're talking about a model that prioritizes close cooperation between different specialists, as well as better support for patients. This is especially important for those suffering from chronic diseases.
PCPs can now consult directly with specialists on test results, which often eliminates the need for the patient himself to visit a specialist clinic. This means that some of the consultations and decisions about further treatment can be made more quickly, and the patient does not waste time on unnecessary visits.
Every patient receiving coordinated care can also count on a personalized Individualized Plan of Medical Care (IPOM). This is a detailed document that the PCP creates together with the patient, taking into account his or her individual needs and health status. This plan covers not only diagnosis, but also further treatment steps and a schedule of tests and consultations.
- Doctors devote their time and energy, they get involved because they want to grow in this direction. Finally, they have more to offer their patients," says Joanna Szeląg, an expert of the Zielonogórski Agreement. - All the more worrying are the reports from the regions where PCP clinics have still not been paid their due. Instead of rewarding quality, the Fund is making dispensaries begin to have financial problems and wonder if they can still afford to implement coordinated care.
According to Tomasz Zielinski, in the situation of a financial crisis of the National Health Fund, the priority should be to ensure financing of services at the level of the POZ, where the patient receives care faster and cheaper. - Currently, effective management of limited financial resources is the only solution for the health care system. I hope that Izabela Leszczyna, Minister of Health, will be able to convince Filip Nowak, President of the National Health Fund, to take such effective measures," adds Tomasz Zielinski.
Source: Porozumienie Zielonogórskie
