Reimbursement of Remote Health Services in Turkiye

OBJECTIVES: Prices of medical devices and some related procedure codes are regulated and set by Social Security Institution (SSI), the only competent authority for reimbursement for Turkiye. Objective of this study is to evaluate a recent update for this system, concurrently assessing its results and soft points.

METHODS: Most recent Health Implementation Communiqué (SUT) procedure codes’ (fee-for-service) pricing is analyzed.

RESULTS: Our analysis shows that SSI has decided to reimburse remote health services beyond what was predicted with the condition of being served in state and University, Research and Education hospitals of Ministry of Health (MoH). Until now, although different facets of digital health services have been offered and developed, reimbursing these has been only on discussion level until April 2024. As a result, the ability to measure and monitor a person's health data with wearable technologies and other medical devices, as well as the issuance of e-prescriptions and e-reports by the physician, medical observation, and follow-up, any medical advice, consultation are also included in this scope. Moreover, the reimbursed price of remote health monitoring is more than the reimbursed price of physical examination.

CONCLUSIONS: Undoubtedly, it is crucial SSI has taken this step, trying to stay aligned with previously published (2022) “Remote Health Services” Regulation of MoH; and looking forward. Effectiveness of this practice is the main concern and might be piloted for a while since procedure is only valid when MoH’s defined hospitals and “MoH appointment system” are used. Also, other players such as healthcare professionals would be informed and updated to complete the picture. Here again we could see there would be a need for a future update for more productive results where more hospitals are included and collaboration between government and industry regarding reasonable funding, transparency exists.