kathimerini.gr
Greece to Implement New Health Index for Lifelong Insurance Cost Increases
Greece is developing a new health index to standardize annual increases in lifelong health insurance, using total claim costs across all programs and considering hospitalization frequency and policyholder age, aiming for cost stability starting in 2026.
- How will the new health index impact annual cost increases for lifelong health insurance programs in Greece?
- The Greek Ministry of Development is finalizing a new health index to determine annual increases in lifelong health insurance programs. This index will be based on the total cost of claims paid by insurance companies across all health programs, incorporating factors like hospitalization frequency and policyholder age, aiming to standardize cost increases.
- What factors contributed to the decision to create a new health index for determining annual increases in lifelong health insurance programs?
- The new index, effective 2026, will be compiled by ELSTAT using methodology from IOVE. It addresses the issue of disproportionate increases in older lifelong policies (sold 2000-2015) by averaging costs across all health programs, rather than focusing on these older policies alone. This addresses the higher morbidity among the older population covered by these policies.
- What are the potential long-term consequences of implementing this new health index, and how might it affect the Greek healthcare system and private insurance market?
- The new calculation method is expected to stabilize annual increases in lifelong health insurance programs. The reduction in the number of older policies from 711,000 in 2011 to 255,000 in 2023, despite increasing claim costs to €227 million in 2023 from €212 million in 2022, highlights the need for this reform. The pilot program by Ethniki Asfalistiki, aiming to control costs by requiring pre-notification of hospitalizations, could foreshadow broader changes across the industry.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing emphasizes the government's efforts to control costs and the insurance companies' response. The headline (if any) likely focuses on the creation of the new health index. The introductory paragraph reinforces this focus on the new index as a solution, thus shaping the reader's understanding towards cost control as the primary concern rather than broader implications for healthcare access or quality. The selection and sequencing of information reinforces this narrative.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral, but certain phrases like "omalonpoihthoun" (which translates to 'normalized' or 'standardized') could be considered slightly loaded, implying a positive outcome without fully exploring the potential drawbacks of such a system. The description of the change in compensation methods as a way to "control costs" presents a particular perspective. While the cost increases are framed as a significant concern, the article doesn't use negatively loaded language when discussing the rising cost of healthcare. Overall, the language is descriptive rather than explicitly biased.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the perspective of insurance companies and the government's response to rising healthcare costs. It lacks the perspective of patients and healthcare providers, who are directly impacted by these changes. While the rising cost of healthcare is acknowledged, the article doesn't explore potential underlying causes beyond increased healthcare utilization by older individuals. The potential impact of these changes on access to healthcare for various demographics is not discussed. This omission limits a complete understanding of the situation.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplified view of the problem, focusing on the conflict between rising costs and the need for adjustments. It doesn't fully explore alternative solutions, such as increasing transparency and efficiency within healthcare, or negotiating better prices with providers. The focus is primarily on the adjustments to the calculation of increases rather than potential issues of affordability, lack of access, and quality of care.
Sustainable Development Goals
The development of a new health index to determine annual increases in lifelong health programs aims to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the healthcare system. By basing increases on the average of all compensation, rather than individual contract types, the system seeks to control costs and ensure fairer pricing. Efforts to curb unnecessary medical tests and hospitalizations further contribute to cost containment and better resource allocation within the healthcare system. This directly impacts the affordability and accessibility of healthcare, improving the overall health and well-being of the population.