11.03.2024 – 13:09
ALM – Accredited Laboratories in Medicine eV
Berlin (ots)
As part of the ongoing discussion about the supposed need for regulation of medical care centers (MVZs), a study entitled “Evidence helps: Does the takeover by private, non-medical investors influence the billing behavior of MVZs?” was presented at a press conference in Berlin today. presented. The study was carried out by Prof. Dr. on the initiative of the Federal Association of Medical Care Center Operators (BBMV) and the Association of Accredited Laboratories in Medicine (ALM). Frank-Ulrich Fricke, Professor of Health Economics at the Nuremberg University of Technology, wrote. With this study, both associations want to contribute to the debate on a possible approach based on data from their member MVZs. The billing data of all service providers is available to the statutory health insurance associations (KV) for evaluation and checking. With these you can check the fulfillment of the assigned care mandate of outpatient facilities in accordance with the legal mandate.
“This exploratory study presents a practicable approach that enables comparative studies of the billing behavior of outpatient facilities based on existing data. Using the indicators we examined, it is possible to identify anomalies in the billing behavior of contract doctors or MVZs without much effort This would then have to be clarified in further analyzes in the respective KV and, if necessary, sanctioned. This is what the statutory test orders provide for,” is the initial conclusion of Prof. Fricke, author of the study.
“With this study, we have shown that the self-administration could use the data available to it to demonstrate possible conspicuous billing behavior. But this possibility has not yet been used. Nevertheless, the unsubstantiated accusation is repeatedly made that MVZ with private, non-medical investors would not fulfill their care mandate and instead concentrate on easily scalable services. We need more evidence and less emotions for the debate,” emphasizes Sibylle S Tauch-Eckmann, chairwoman of the BBMV.
“With the regular implementation of such tests, which are also provided for in SGB V, and which could be carried out largely automatically, it would also be possible to show empirically whether there is a need for further regulation of MVZ in outpatient statutory health care. Without this empirical basis, accusations remain, such as for example, ‘cherry-picking’ from parts of politics and self-administration towards MVZs with private, non-medical investors without evidence. The required political measures would be evidence-free and therefore not based on the essential criteria, namely the care needs of the patients to align with the quality of care,” said the chairman of the Accredited Laboratories in Medicine eV, Dr. Michael Müller.
The study examines anonymized billing data and fee notices from member MVZs of the Federal Association of Medical Care Center Operators (BBMV) and the Association of Accredited Laboratories in Medicine (ALM) before and after the takeover. For this purpose, data from 17 facilities from various medical specialist groups from different health insurance regions were included and evaluated.
The study is available for download on the ALM eV website. Here you will also find further information about the topic and participants. The recording of the press conference on March 11th will be posted online here later in the day.
About the Accredited Laboratories in Medicine – ALM eV
ALM eV is the professional association of accredited medical laboratories (ALM) in Germany and currently represents over 200 medical laboratories with 900 specialists, around 500 scientists and around 25,000 qualified employees. The purpose of the association is to promote and ensure high-quality laboratory medical patient care in Germany. The members of the association ensure comprehensive patient care, even in structurally weak areas. The member laboratories are accredited according to the highest quality standard for medical laboratories (DIN ISO EN 15189) and fully comply with the guidelines of the German Medical Association for the quality assurance of laboratory medical examinations (RiliBÄK).
About the Federal Association of Medical Care Center Operators – BBMV eV
The Federal Association of Medical Care Center Operators is committed to a wide variety of providers and the best possible quality of care for patients in the outpatient health sector. The members operate medical care centers (MVZ) nationwide and contribute to primary care and specialist medical care close to home. They represent the common interests of the members towards politics, self-government and the public according to the principles of openness, transparency, fairness and integrity.
Press contact:
Accredited laboratories in medicine – ALM eV
Mr. Daniel Schaffer (Managing Director)
HELIX HUB, Invalidenstraße 113, 10115 Berlin
Phone: 030 403 688 4100
E-Mail: [email protected]
www.alm-ev.de
BBMV – Federal Association of Medical Care Center Operators
Ms Alexandra Gutwein (Managing Director)
Marienstraße 15, 10117 Berlin
Phone: 030 275 938 05
E-Mail: [email protected]
www.bbmv.de
Original content from: ALM – Accredited Laboratories in Medicine eV, transmitted by news aktuell