The implementation of the family medicine program and referral system has been proposed as a solution to reduce the healthcare costs of the country. This program is designed to prevent unconventional expenses that are usually paid out of pocket by the public. However, one of the main challenges in implementing this plan is the lack of sufficient support from the insurance system.
The Role of Insurance in Implementing the Family Medicine Program
Taher Mohabati, Deputy for Management Development and Resources at the Ministry of Health, emphasizes the importance of the role of insurance in implementing the family medicine program. He points out that without the financial backing of insurance companies, this program will not be able to continue its activities. In other words, if insurance companies do not support this program, treatment costs for the public will increase, and the main goal of reducing costs will not be achieved.
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Progress and Challenges
Mohabati also mentioned the renovation of 950 health centers and the production and dissemination of over 55,000 educational teasers, as well as the training of 32 clinical guidelines for costly and frequent diseases. These efforts reflect the Ministry of Health's endeavors to strengthen the infrastructure of this program, but it seems that these efforts will not yield results without insurance support.
Alireza Raisi, Deputy for Health at the Ministry of Health, also emphasizes the Ministry's determination to continue implementing the program, stating that it must proceed at a reliable pace and in the right direction. Accordingly, the Ministry of Health is seeking to reform processes and behaviors to facilitate the implementation of this program.
Seyed Sajjad Razavi, Deputy for Treatment at the Ministry of Health, also stresses the importance of improving the quality of health services after the implementation of the national family medicine program and referral system, and points to the necessity of gradually implementing this program at levels two and three. He also emphasizes the use of experiences from other countries, tailored to local conditions, and the creation of sustainable resources for the continuity of this program.
With the launch of the third phase of the family medicine program and referral system in 19 cities, the number of covered cities has increased to 64. This increase in coverage indicates the Ministry of Health's determination to expand this program, but there are still questions about the sustainability and quality of these services.
Overall, the successful implementation of the family medicine program and referral system requires effective collaboration between the Ministry of Health and insurance entities. If this collaboration does not materialize, it is likely that the public will face increased treatment costs, and the goals of this program will not be achieved.
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