Traumatologist Vazha Gaprindashvili says that the new model of financing with DRG does not allow for providing quality services in traumatology. Accoridng to him, Mediclub Georgia refused the universal health care program and accordingly, the new financing model.
"The idea itself is very good, but it was done without refinement, so it will work with difficulty in today's situation. In my opinion, initially, this system should have been implemented in state clinics. For example, in the case of various knee fractures, sometimes implants are necessary, these tools are imported and of different quality. Until November, everyone tried as much as possible to use quality means, which have the appropriate recognition in European countries. And now, it is no longer possible to make a high-quality implant. Many kinds of products are imported, but most of them are of unknown origin and the quality is below zero. The Ministry met with representatives of associations. As they told us, they took the prices of 2018 and that is wrong", Gaprindashvili says.
The diagnosis-related group (DRG) strategy was mandated in hospitals from November 1.
According to the Georgian Health Ministry, the new approach is banning clinics from charging additional out-of-pocket expenses for medical services other than those specified. The reasonable cost of various services will be computed automatically. The new method aims to make medical services accessible and improve the health system’s efficiency. The co-financing share by the state from 0 to 30% will be envisaged as per the health insurance packages.
