The Emerging Homecare Market in Greece: A Prospective Economic Model for the Development of a Reimbursement Policy by Insurance Funds

Abstract

The Greek National Health Service (NHS) has initiated a process of moving away from institutionalised care and promoting open care within the community, as a cost-containment measure. Despite the Greek government's commitment to provide financial support, permitting families to carry the burden of homecare, the lack of legislation and appropriate accreditation procedures are still the main barriers for the provision of homecare in Greece. The emerging Greek homecare market suffers from a lack of coordination of the efforts of paramedical professionals and the poor training of providers. In this paper, the basic prerequisites for the development of a nationwide homecare programme (integrated knowledge of the market (homecare), clear strategy, good collaboration among different providers, internal quality controls and a strict accreditation policy) are discussed. Furthermore, a prospective capitation model for the homecare services, adapted to Greek market data, is suggested as the basis of a realistic reimbursement policy by insurance funds.