Health Systems in Transition - Hungary - World Health Organization ...

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Health systems in transition Hungary
reimbursement applications by the producers and traders within a maximum
period of 90 or 180 days, respectively, after submission. This clearly provided
the main incentive for the much more extensive and elaborate use of HTAs
in recent years, as well as for the substantial rise in the number of journal
publications analysing the cost–effectiveness of medical technologies, especially
pharmaceuticals.
In 2004 the NISHR was established, which among other things assists in
health policy decision-making through HTA, especially by providing technical
support to the Health Technology Appraisal Committee of the NHIFA. This
task is performed by the National Institute’s Office of Health Technology
Assessment, which carries out a critical review of the evidence submitted by
producers. The Health Technology Appraisal Committee, which is responsible
for making the final recommendations on the inclusion of new substances in
the positive list, appraises this review along with all other available information
from the NHIFA and other professional bodies (2004/4). HTA has since been
expanded to include other medical technologies and equipment, and will, it is
hoped, strongly incentivize further development in the area (2010/3).
2.8 Regulation
The chief regulatory role in the Hungarian health system is played by the
government and relevant ministries, but other actors, such as the professional
chambers, National Institutes of Health and the NPHMOS, are also involved.
All aspects of the service production process are regulated. With regard to
health care inputs, there is extensive regulation of human resources, medical
devices and medical facilities.
2.8.1 Regulation and governance of third-party payers
Although the head of the NHIFA is appointed by the prime minister, the NHIFA
is directly supervised by the State Secretariat for Healthcare (2006/16). For its
part, the NHIFA plays an important role in preparing the policy decisions of
the State Secretariat for Healthcare, and it also makes proposals for improving
existing regulations.
The package of benefits covered by the HIF is defined in Act CLIV of 1997
on Health (1997/20) and Act LXXXIII of 1997 on the Services of Compulsory
Health Insurance (1997/9). The HIF scheme provides nearly universal coverage
and a comprehensive benefits package with few exclusions and little or no