February 11, 2022 – 08:47
Health insurer VGZ and Maastricht UMC+ have made agreements about the reimbursement of the remote measurement and analysis of cardiac arrhythmias. This means that ‘TeleCheck-AF’, which measures and analyzes heart rhythm remotely, is now a definitive part of the care for patients with cardiac arrhythmias. An important step in the application and funding of digital care.
Digital care is developing rapidly, partly accelerated by the corona crisis, which forces doctors to treat their patients more remotely. Until now, however, the application of methods for remote care has remained largely experimental, part of research projects and without structural agreements on reimbursement by health insurers.
Optional achievement
For ‘TeleCheck-AF’, using an app to measure heart rhythm around a teleconsultation, an agreement has now been made about reimbursement. Health insurer VGZ and Maastricht UMC+ have agreed on a so-called optional service. This is a local agreement between hospital and health insurer about the reimbursement of this care. The NZa has honored this agreement (see order) so that other hospitals, like the MUMC+, can also easily make agreements with the health insurer(s) about this form of digital care.
TeleCheck-AF
Since April 2020, the cardiologists in the MUMC+ have developed TeleCheck-AF. This innovative approach is now standard applied to monitor the heart rhythm of patients with atrial fibrillation and other supraventricular heart rhythm disorders. Patients can measure their heart rhythm themselves using a smartphone app. The data ends up with their cardiologist, who assesses them and gives treatment advice remotely. This can take place via a teleconsultation (by telephone or video calling), so that a hospital visit is no longer necessary. For example, read the story of patient August van Wilgenburg (59).
More convenience for patients
Until now, about 1400 patients of the MUMC+ have used TeleCheck-AF, with the app Fibricheck† As a result, the number of EKGs and Holter examinations per care trajectory fell substantially and teleconsultations replaced physical appointments in the hospital. This means a saving of costs and time. It also contributes to the sustainability of healthcare by reducing CO2 emissions. More importantly, this means more convenience for many patients, because they do not have to travel to the hospital, or at least less often, and can easily communicate with their practitioner.
From experiment to standard offer
Dominik Linz, cardiologist at Maastricht UMC+: ‘The development and application of TeleCheck-AF is the largest project in the field of digital care in Europe during the corona crisis. At the moment 41 centers – with more than 4000 patients – participate and use the Fibricheck app for this. The MUMC+ is the initiator and initiator, but now also the first hospital in Europe to have definitive agreements about financing, thanks to the good and close collaboration with VGZ. I am very happy that remote care is no longer an experiment, but has really become part of our work. There is no other way, because I notice every day that patients need it. I hope that other hospitals in the Netherlands and throughout Europe will follow soon.’
Potential savings: €24 million
Nationally, there are approximately 142,000 patients who visit a cardiologist annually and are eligible for the use of TeleCheck-AF. If all other hospitals use TeleCheck-AF, a saving of approximately €24 million in healthcare costs is possible, the MUMC+ and VGZ have calculated. Nils van Herpen, Healthcare Innovation Manager at VGZ: ‘The working method developed by MUMC+ is a very good example of digitally sensible healthcare and we therefore see it as a “good practice”. Thanks to this step and thanks to the close collaboration between MUMC+ and VGZ, the working method can be further scaled up to other hospitals and in the near future even more of our members will be able to use this innovative care.’
Source: Maastricht UMC+ & VGZ
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Editorial Medicalfacts/ Janine Budding
I studied physiotherapy and health care business administration. I am also a registered Independent client supporter and informal care broker. I have a lot of experience in various positions in healthcare, the social domain and the medical, pharmaceutical industry, nationally and internationally. And have broad medical knowledge of most specialties in healthcare. And of the health care laws from which health care is regulated and financed. Every year I attend most of the leading medical conferences in Europe and America to keep my knowledge up-to-date and to keep up with the latest developments and innovations. I am currently studying applied psychology.
My messages on this weblog do not reflect the strategy, policy or direction of an employer, nor are they the work of or for a client or employer.
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