Estonia, Financial Services, Funds, Legislation, Markets and Companies, Medicine

Starting from January, the Health Insurance Fund is planning to start paying for digital dermatoscopy for the prevention and early detection of skin cancer, additionally the list will be lengthened by new cancer medication for the treatment of kidney, breast and prostate tumors. The plan also includes expanding the possibilities of biological treatment in cases of eye and skin diseases, the Health Insurance Fund said.

The supervisory board's decision as of next year will also establish an additional motivational bonus to those dentists who offer adult dental care and expand possibilities for ordering air transport in situations where patients need to the directed to a foreign country for treatment.

Starting from next year, the Health Insurance Fund is planning to pay for 12 months instead of the current 11 months for school nurse services to ensure that school healthcare staff is treated equally to healthcare workers.

The supervisory board confirmed amendments to the list of medical equipment. In cooperation with equipment producers and doctors, possibilities have been found to improve the availability and selection of equipment for lymph swelling, vascular diseases and sleep medicine. As of next year, the selection of stoma care products and products for inflammatory diseases, orthopedic products, bandages and band aids, and products for diabetics will expand.

The list of healthcare services is a list of all services and medicines used in hospitals which the Health Insurance Fund pays for. The list likely to be confirmed at a meeting in December and is to enter into force on Jan. 1, 2018.