Monitor evaluation finds prices for NHS services can change by 10% every year

Monitor evaluation finds prices for NHS services can change by 10% every year: Source: BMJ

Area: News

According to a report published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), a report from Monitor claims that over 40% of prices for NHS services set under the current Payment by Results system change by 10% or more every year. Such changes undermine the confidence that providers and commissioners have in the tariff, and this can lead to poor compliance with the system.

The report presents a comprehensive analysis of pricing in the NHS and the reimbursement system for NHS funded care, and is the first stage in establishing the evidence for Monitor to use to develop new ways of using pricing to deliver benefits for patients. The evaluation found some evidence that the existing system had brought about improvements in the quality and efficiency of care, however it suggests that there is much room for improvement in the way that providers of NHS services are paid.