Hospital Funding System Gets a Modern Overhaul: Focus on Quality of Patient Care

Romania's healthcare system is set to undergo a major transformation in the way hospital units are funded. The interim Minister of Health has unveiled a new mechanism that moves away from the traditional criterion based on the number of available beds.

The new funding methodology will take into account two fundamental aspects: the actual volume of medical services provided and the real number of patients receiving treatment. This approach aims to encourage hospitals to improve their performance and deliver quality care.

According to official estimates from the National Health Insurance House (Casa Națională de Asigurări de Sănătate), nearly all healthcare units — specifically 98.19% of them — stand to benefit from the implementation of the new financial calculation system.

The change comes in response to the need to modernise the healthcare system and to create incentives for improving the quality of medical care. Under this mechanism, hospitals will be motivated to optimise their operations and focus on concrete outcomes in patient treatment.

For elderly patients, this reform could mean improved access to specialist medical services and greater attention paid to their specific care needs. Hospitals will be encouraged to develop programmes and services tailored to this vulnerable category of patients.

The implementation of the new funding system represents an important step towards a more efficient, patient-centred healthcare system, with significant potential benefits for all age groups — including older people who require specialist medical care.