Reimbursement

What is reimbursement?Reimbursement refers to the process by which a healthcare payer agrees to cover the cost of a medical product, device, or service. Once reimbursement is granted, the product can be prescribed or used without the patient bearing the full cost. Reimbursement frameworks vary widely between countries and healthcare systems; there are three main type of reimbursement models: national coverage, regional and out-of-pocket.How does reimbursement affect patient access?Reimbursement decisions determine whether patients can obtain a treatment through public or private healthcare systems. A positive reimbursement decision often depends on evidence of clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and unmet need. Without reimbursement, even approved products may remain inaccessible to most patients.