Portugal to cover all dialysis spending

The Portuguese Ministry of Health and the national association of privately-run dialysis centers, Anadial, have agreed on a new bundled reimbursement model for hemodialysis patients.

The Comprehensive Price Payment model is an integrated system which will cover reimbursement for all necessary dialysis services, related products, laboratory services and the administration of other medical tests and necessary drugs (eg, for anemia management, bone management, blood pressure, etc).

In 2007, dialysis specialist Fresenius Medical generated revenues of $128.0 million in Portugal (1.3% of estimated group revenues last year), and the company expects the reimbursement rate to increase 50% following the introduction of a bundled rate, note analysts at Lehman Brothers. Portugal is the first European country to adopt a bundled reimbursement model in dialysis.