Berlin- The German Hospital Federation (DKG) and the The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds have agreed upon reimbursing the price for the SARS-CoV-2 tests. These additional tests will be used for every patient that needs to be admitted to a hospital.
According to the agreement, the health insurance founds for hospitals admissions are to be reimbursed as follows: 63 euros per test between 14 May and 15 June. The cost includes:
- 52,50 EUR : laboratory costs
- 10 EUR: personnel costs
- 0,50 EUR: material costs.
For the tests conducted on patients admitted in the hospital after 16th of June, 52.50 EUR will be reimbursed.
The DKG is satisfied with the results and believes this is an important element in the Coronavirus prevention strategy for the inpatient care treatment.
The decision was made based on the actual costs that hospitals had to pay. The reduction in laboratory costs from mid-June will go hand in hand with maintenance, which will reduce laboratory costs. The DKG wants to increase the numbers of tests, thus reducing prices and conserving resources for the healthcare sector.
As for the ambulatory care, the Evaluation Committee will discuss future costs for the testing equipment. It is reported that costs could go below 50 EUR for the additional PCR tests.
The health insurance companies are worried about the costs, as the PCR tests are currently expansing and demand financing from tax funds. The German Federal Health Agency’s legal decree on the new test strategy describes the liquidity reserve of the health fund as a financial source.
