The Federation of Swiss Doctors (FMH) and the new umbrella association of health insurers prio.swiss have agreed on “a pragmatic solution” regarding the emergency tax. No distinction is anymore made between independent doctors and salaried doctors.
A ruling from the Federal Court called into question the emergency tax for on-call duty outside the opening hours of medical practices, admitting an appeal from health insurers. With a possible retroactive effect over five years, which raised fears of bankruptcies and closures of clinics and medical centers.
Faced with this situation, pediatricians threatened to strike on December 21. Emergency centers have closed in German-speaking Switzerland, while others have reduced or even eliminated their provision of care on evenings, weekends and public holidays.
Respond to “the reality on the ground”
Announced on Saturday in Le Temps and appearing in a joint press release from the FMH and prio.swiss, the solution found “responds to the current reality on the ground and makes it possible to ensure quality emergency care, also outside hospitals” , estimate the two partners.
At the same time, it relies on a correct and uniform application of prices, “the control of which is the responsibility of each health insurer”.
Systematic prosecutions
At the same time, cases raising suspicion of a business model based on non-compliant invoicing of inconvenience compensation will be systematically pursued, specify the FMH and prio.swiss.
These include cases where lump sum compensation was charged with an abnormally high frequency and in a systematic manner.
The solution found allows doctors who work as employees to also invoice emergency and disturbance taxes, provided that the situation actually corresponds to an emergency or a disturbance. The situation remains unchanged for hospitals, which are not authorized to bill them.
For a solution in the TARDOC
prio.swiss and the FMH have convened a working group with the aim of setting up a solution for the application of emergency taxes in Tardoc, which must also adequately take into account the services of employed doctors. This solution must be presented to the Federal Council for approval by the end of January.
ats/fgn
Local
Swiss
