THE LARGEST health insurance company in Slovakia, Všeobecná Zdravotná Poisťovňa (VsŽP), is in the midst of negotiations that could result in fewer contracts with hospitals and less coverage.
VsŽP has refused to comment on the talks at this point, the SITA newswire wrote.
Zuzana Zvolenská, director general of the insurer, said that agreements that have been reached so far will be reflected in contracts as of July 1, 2008.
"We assume that as of that date, contracts will not be offered to some health care facilities and others will see a decrease in the number of covered procedures," she said.
She continued that talks are ongoing with all health care providers and that any decision not to sign contracts will be agreed upon by both parties. She was reluctant to release further details, saying that the network of health care providers will be released as of July 1.
She emphasised that VsŽP is not trying to shut down or bankrupt hospitals, but to make sure that policyholders in all regions have equal access to quality care.
Zvolenská confirmed that VsŽP will not change the basic direction set by her predecessor, Anton Kováčik, and will prefer large hospitals.
