Laboratory examinations are an essential part of health care and treatment, which ensure timely diagnosis and monitoring of the treatment process. Studies show that diagnostic tests are performed in up to 96% of patients and up to 80% of clinical decisions are made based on laboratory test results. The report emphasizes the need to ensure access to state-paid tests in the interests of individual patients and wider society as a whole to catch medical conditions as early as possible.
The report reviewed on Tuesday was initiated on September 12, 2023 to propose solutions for more efficient use of the funding allocated from the state budget, as the number of tests caried out has been increasing in recent years and annually exceeds the financial amount allocated to it from the state budget.
About 970 thousand patients – about half the population – receive laboratory examinations every year. At the beginning of 2024, 52 million euros were planned from the state budget for laboratory examinations but forecasts for the year show that a total of 65.3 million will be needed for examinations.
The Informative Report reviewed by the government on Tuesday provides information on the possibilities of holding an auction of laboratory services, revising test tariffs, as well as the revision of the payment conditions.
From the additional funding granted on Tuesday for examinations, 398 thousand euros will be allocated for the examination of natriuretic peptide, which is one of the basic methods in the diagnosis of heart conditions.
