One
A new era for hospitals begins today. Remote testing will now be carried out in hospitals affiliated with the Ministry of Health. The examination fees will be covered by the Social Security Institution (SGK).
2
Reservations are required
For telemedicine appointments, appointments are made through the Central Physician Reservation System (MHRS). Telemedicine was limited to one case per day at the hospital where the patient had made an appointment. SGK will only cover one remote testing fee per day for the same patient in the same hospital.
3
Can write prescriptions and reports
Specialists will conduct telemedicine. SGK will not cover the costs of new remote examinations of patients carried out within 10 days (with the exception of emergency room applications) for the same specialty in the same hospital.
Doctors will be able to prescribe therapeutic drugs through e-prescriptions after testing. Medications prescribed during telemedicine can be purchased at pharmacies that have a contract with SGK. Doctors can also generate electronic reports for patients.
Four
Which hospitals are eligible?
Remote testing is provided by secondary and tertiary health institutions under the Ministry of Health. Intermediate level hospitals consist of state hospitals and branch hospitals that are not training or research hospitals, district polyclinics (TIP centers) attached to these hospitals, and general district hospitals. The third level consists of teaching and research hospitals. All municipal hospitals are at the tertiary level.
Five
I will go to the hospital if necessary
Telemedicine services can only be provided by hospitals that are licensed by the Ministry and have the necessary IT infrastructure. Those requesting medical care will be examined to the extent telemedicine services are available.
Your doctor may recommend that you go to the hospital for an in-person test.
Wearable technology and other medical devices can be used to measure and track health data of people seeking medical care.
6
Starting with the pandemic, regulations were issued in 2022
Remote testing could be carried out for patients in isolation during the coronavirus outbreak.
The Ministry of Health has published regulations on this subject in 2022. Regulations on the provision of telehealth services came into force in February 2022.
Last month, SSI decided to amend its Medical Practice Communiqué to cover the cost of medical services for remote patient assessments.
