New health rates will bankrupt hospitals and scare doctors: “No one will give up their work”

The national government has published a draft decree through which the tariff system in the health sector will be amended, thus changing what is stipulated in the currently applicable tariff system manual. The document has raised several questions from health professionals, who consider that the maximum amounts set for surgical and non-surgical procedures, hospitalization services and transfer of care are not sufficient.

“The delivery of health services must be in harmony with current science, technological advances, clinical practice and their costs, and prices must respond to the market.as well as being framed in the reasonableness of expenditure and the sustainability of the Social Security Public Health System (Sgsss),” as stated in the document published by the Petro government.

Now you can follow us on our website WhatsApp channel And in Facebook.

Many have questioned the decline in interest rates. For example, according to Health issues financial advisor Luis Rossi currently pays US$725,400 for a CT scan, but that price will drop to less than US$200,000 with the new tariff guide. “No one, not the IPS at the national level will provide you with TAC service for $ 157,000. “Nobody,” the expert explained in a conversation with “Nobody.” the time.

The same will be evident in other procedures, such as a clavicle osteotomy, which is a procedure that treats a broken collarbone. According to the aforementioned newspaper, the cost of this will range from $1,899,800 to $1,480,028.

“The government's audacity is absolute. Not only does it destroy the health system, it also makes our work risky. A lumbar puncture, an extremely complex procedure that costs less than placing a pair of acrylic wedges, is disrespectful to the medical profession.said internist Tatiana Villareal, who publishes political and health content for the newspaper Globalism From Cartagena. According to the document in question, a lumbar puncture (diagnostic or therapeutic) will have a unit value base (UVB) rate of 1.68, and by 2024, the UVB rate will be $10,951.

The health professional emphasized that in this way, the health system will be risky and the labor rights of workers will be violated, thus leading to the departure of doctors from the country, in search of better job opportunities abroad. “No one is going to give up their job. This is a complete lack of respect,” he added.

This vision is shared by the former Minister of Health and Education, Alejandro Gaviria, who warned on X (formerly Twitter) of the possible consequences that may result from the change in rates that the Petro government wants to establish in this sector. “The tariff guide published by the Ministry of Health, if adopted, will bankrupt many hospitals with dire consequences for care.. The former minister said: “It appears that the order is designed to take revenge on the private prison service and with the aim of separating health care.”

According to the document, the changes in rates are intended to maintain the flow of resources and, to this extent, ensure the delivery of services to patients. “The price for professional services consists of the rate factors assigned to the surgeon or interventionalist, anesthesiologist, and surgical assistant (if applicable) for each procedure,” the draft states.

“Having an identification guide has been a dream for several decades now. This has been built on the experience we have already been able to gain from international references.. It has already been validated with different interest groups, public service providers, associations and human talent in health. “This guide has taken into account several modifications,” Deputy Minister of Social Protection Luis Alberto Martinez was quoted as saying. Viewer.

According to consultant Luis Rossi, the amounts set must be fair, but this does not appear in the apparent “decrease” in what must be paid for some procedures. “It is not about increasing spending, and it is not about imposing fees on fees,” the expert said. the time.