In a recently published position paper, the medtech industry association SPECTARIS appeals to healthcare policymakers to exert pressure on the GKV-Spitzenverband to push through an aid adjustment for online-based or cloud-enabled aids.
The potential of creating separate product types in already existing product groups in the list of medical aids of the statutory health insurance (GKV) is that an improvement in the quality of care can be achieved and costs can be reduced, according to SPECTARIS board member Sabine Mertsch.
As an example, Mertsch recently mentioned diabetics, a large group in the German healthcare system, who benefit from digitization. Insulin pumps, smartpens, rtCGM (continuous tissue glucose measurement) and innovative blood glucose meters have efficiency and effectiveness for sufferers with fluctuating blood glucose levels, if the costs were to be borne by the statutory health insurance funds after prescription.
Politicians must first create the conditions for this, however, appeals Mertsch. Physicians must also be considered, as they must be remunerated for their services in evaluating the data. The process of inclusion in the SHI’s list of medical aids could then consist of four stages, including application, assessment of potential, inclusion modality and remuneration.
The application focuses on the manufacturer applying for inclusion of its online-enabled solution in accordance with Section 139 of the German Social Code, Book V. The potential assessment step presents the added value of the digital solution based on healthcare data, clinical studies, and assessments by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) and the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). In the next step (admission modality), a positive assessment is followed by inclusion in the list of therapeutic appliances (see above). If there is no positive evaluation, the product is included in product types without online capability. Remuneration then takes place after agreements have been reached between manufacturers, providers of medical aids and the GKV-Spitzenverband; flat-rate remuneration must also be considered.
Source: www.aerztezeitung.de