May 31st, 2017

Book on Healthcare fraud, corruption and waste in Europe

	Benelux as the driving force of cooperation against cross-border fraud in healthcare Thomas Antoine, Secretary General, Benelux Union

Nobody can deny that fraud, corruption and waste are a major threat to the sustainability of healthcare systems in Europe.

The book Healthcare Fraud, Corruption and Waste in Europe. National and Academic Perspectives, coordinated by the European Healthcare Fraud and Corruption Network, raises awareness on this topic.

It will be officially launched at the General Secretariat of the Benelux Union on 12th May 2017 on the occasion of the Kick-off of the Project Cross-Border Fraud in Healthcare.  At this event, a Declaration of Intent will be signed by the representatives of the three Benelux countries, by which the Governments affirm their will to protect actively their citizens and play the role of a pioneer in tackling and preventing cross-border fraud in healthcare.

For several years, the General Secretariat has developed a true common Benelux policy on fraud prevention.

A joint approach is paramount as fraudsters often cross borders to escape the grip of a particular national legal system or take advantage of systemic inefficiencies, and thus evade inspections and controls. By cooperating closely the Benelux countries can – by concerted action – send a strong signal to anyone attempting to defraud the healthcare systems.

After the Kick-off of 12^th May 2017, a new cross-border cooperation will be implemented in the Benelux in the fight against fraud in healthcare. It will focus more particularly on mutual learning and the dissemination of knowledge, seeking solutions to the problems and challenges identified and developing a preventive approach.

The common objective is to achieve tangible results for both authorities and competent actors in the field and, ultimately, for every patient in Europe.

	Less waste = more value in healthcare Pedro Facon, Director General Health Care, Federal Public Service Public Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment (BE)

Value-based healthcare. Or maximising the value that the healthcare systems are creating in terms of care and health for our citizens and patients.  And this within the government budgets for healthcare which are under pressure, not only today, but also tomorrow.

This is the key challenge that we, as policymakers along with the actors in the field, are facing. A crucial part of a meaningful policy in this area is to fight waste. Regardless of the fact that it comprises inappropriate care, abuse, fraud or corruption.

With the publication of its book on Healthcare fraud, Corruption and Waste in Europe, EHFCN provides a useful guidance, both on theoretical and on conceptual level, and also on a practical level. It offers a reference framework for the fight against waste. Critical success factors are being indicated and good practices are highlighted.

Skilled with this knowledge and insights, we are in a better position to pursue an effective and efficient policy for healthcare which indeed can offer even more value than is actually the case.

	Is your healthcare system protected? Jo De Cock, CEO of the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (NIHDI), Belgium

Nobody can deny that fraud, corruption and waste are important threats for health care systems. We need to make sure that the investments in health care systems are properly protected against fraud, corruption and waste. Therefore, a good comprehension of the typology of this phenomena, the development of appropriate strategies and the use of the right solutions are essential elements of good governance of health systems.

This book on ‘Healthcare fraud, corruption and waste in Europe. National and academic perspectives’, coordinated by the EHCFN, provides guidance on this topic and gives also a comprehensive overview of policies which were put in place in different European countries.

It is a duty of every policymaker to integrate the right approaches in the management of the health system.

Therefore this book offers a lot of theoretical and practical information. It is a must have and a must read.

	Wasted money means wasted lives prof. dr. Lieven Annemans,  Department of Public Health, Ghent University and VUB

Indeed, the healthcare money that is wasted as such is not anymore available to invest in prevention programs, to reimburse innovations that add value, or to invest in programs to ensure equal access to high quality care.

The aim of healthcare policies should be to optimize the health of citizens taking into account the budgetary limitations, and within a system based on solidarity. Indeed, good healthcare is a fundamental human right and healthcare policies need to protect this right. In this regard, practices generally labeled as fraud, such as charging for excessively expensive care, charging for services not provided, providing unnecessary services etc. are contra-productive to say the least.

The merit of this book on ‘Healthcare fraud, corruption and waste in Europe. National and academic perspectives’– that is co-edited with NZa (The Dutch Health Authority) – is not only that it helps to define, recognize, analyze and develop the capacity to tackle fraud.

The reader also understands the possible outcomes and achievements of efficient counter-fraud activity. Hence, it illustrates that there is a large and realistic potential to save money, that could and should be re-invested in healthcare.  As such this book will help to spend our healthcare money better and produce healthy life years.

Therefore it provides a major contribution to our healthcare policy objectives! 

	Is healthcare fraud, corruption and waste a threat to the sustainability of European healthcare systems ? René Jansen, President EHFCN, Member of the Board of NZa

It is undeniable that healthcare fraud, corruption and waste are a serious and growing threat to the sustainability and the quality of European healthcare systems. Unfortunately for many years, a lack of objective information and hard evidence has stood in the way of finding efficient and effective solutions to tackle the problem.

This book on ‘Healthcare fraud, corruption and waste in Europe. National and academic perspectives’ provides a better understanding of the nature of these phenomena.

It offers best practices from European countries and a unique comparative overview of healthcare fraud, corruption and waste and how to tackle it.