Published in Health Policy, this study by Ndayishimiye et al. analyses health care provider payment schemes across nine Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. It examines changes since 2010, highlighting the widespread use of blended and output-based payment methods. The research finds that primary health care (PHC) has the most diverse payment structures, while PHC and hospital inpatient care have undergone the most frequent modifications.
The study underscores that recent reforms primarily focused on refining existing payment models by detailing payment categories and adjusting tariff valuation principles. Additionally, many countries introduced supplementary payment mechanisms, such as fee-for-service or bonus payments, to incentivise performance and specific services. Despite variations in implementation, the study reveals that these countries share common policy objectives, suggesting significant opportunities for cross-country learning in provider payment reforms. The findings contribute to the ongoing discourse on optimising health care financing strategies to enhance efficiency and service delivery in CEE health systems.