German industry blasts medtech aids tender
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
A tender for medtech aids submitted by Germany's AOK Hessen sickness insurance fund has drawn criticism from the industry as being price-oriented only. Under the 2007 healthcare reform law, which was designed to increase competition among sickness insurance funds, theses issue tenders for medtech aid supplies. Developments since the April 1 entry into force of the law have been watched closely by Berlin-based BVMed industry association, whose specially-set up decubitus working group said last week that the AOK's tender, for anti-decubitus systems "reduces the selection of such products to mere price alone". The tender closed on February 14.