UDINE. There are two directions along which the Region has moved to draw up the new three-year agreements with the healthcare facilities of the private sector. Two priorities considered indifferent by the vice-president of the regional council, Riccardo Riccardi, holder of the delegation to health, according to which «the system must in particular have concrete answers with respect to the flight of patients from regional structures.
Users who, especially for prosthetic, ophthalmology and diagnostics, cross the borders of Friuli Venezia Giulia, turning in particular to private clinics in nearby Veneto ». On average, the Region reimburses from 90 to 95 million a year at the bottom of the list and of this figure, over 50 million are intended to reimburse the services performed in Veneto.
The second issue, closely linked to the flight from the region, is that relating to the containment of waiting lists, which inevitably affects the last two years characterized by Covid: between 2020 and 2021 outpatient activity decreased by 16 percent, by 24 even scheduled surgical services.
Five million for waiting lists
The three-year agreement signed by the Region and by the reference organizations of the private contracted (Anisap Fvg, Aris Triveneto, Assosalute Fvg) allocates 5.8 million to 28 clinics, clinics and rehabilitation facilities precisely to hit the double target linked to escape of patients and waiting lists. Eight structures operate within the territory of the Giuliano Isontina Healthcare Company, 16 refer to the Central Friuli Healthcare Company, the remaining six are located in western Friuli.
Accredited private structures are required to apply the rates provided by the Region and, by contract, it is not allowed to stop the provision of services for the end of the budget: any excess activities must therefore be provided free of charge, that is, without costs for the regional health system. .
In particular, three areas of action for which the extra ceiling was provided: diagnostic imaging (limited to magnetic resonance and computed tomography), surgical ophthalmology (cataract) and post-orthopedic rehabilitation.
The new branches in agreement
Precisely to discourage the movement of patients to other regions, a resolution of the regional council of 2019 planned to expand the branches within which private structures can move in agreement. Specifically, these are gastroenterology (with endoscopy), cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, diagnostic imaging, ophthalmology and sampling center.
Hence the decision to establish the shares of competence for each of the providers that provide their service in these fields: a budget of 1.3 million euros has been set, which will benefit 18 clinics in the territory of Udine and Pordenone, with several new entries. Overall, a share of resources of just over € 22 million has been set up for the affiliated clinics in the region.
The nursing homes
With the same principles, an extra budget of 14 million euros was allocated to four nursing homes, intended precisely to reduce regional mobility and contain waiting lists. The heaviest amount is the prerogative of the Trieste Polyclinic (4.8 million), about 500,000 euros more than the City of Udine nursing home; 3.5 million additional resources will be allocated to the San Giorgio polyclinic, while the Trieste Sanatorium will obtain 1.5 million more.
The three-year agreement signed between the parties provides for an overall allocation of more than 86 million euros for the private nursing homes. On the timely destination of the sums, private structures will have to find specific agreements with the health authorities. –