• The sponsorship grant of the Federal Joint Committee is a success for the innovative project consortium and for RHÖN-KLINIKUM AG as the manager of the consortium
• The funded project will implement a fully comprehensible healthcare model and also develop a suitable remuneration model
• The medical partners of the regions involved (Rhön-Grabfeld (Bavaria) and Marburg-Biedenkopf (Hesse) see great potential in channelling healthcare where it is needed

RHÖN-KLINIKUM AG, one of the leading healthcare providers in Germany, has made a successful application to obtain funding for its innovative project to strengthen the provision of regional healthcare. On 18th October 2019 the Innovation Committee of the Federal Joint Committee (Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss) gave a positive response regarding the company’s project idea entitled “trans-sectoral treatment according to requirements of patients with cardiac insufficiency and development of an alternative remuneration model (sekTOR-HF)”. The funded projects will be published on the website of the Innovation Committee at the beginning of November.

Cardiac insufficiency is the third most frequent cause of death in Germany with over 47,000 deaths per year. The chronic disease is associated with very high costs and often leads to hospitalisation. For patient care to improve it is necessary for suitable partners in the region to agree on a medical care concept and for it to be implemented in practice.

Stephan Holzinger, CEO of RHÖN-KLINIKUM AG, stated: “The decision by the Federal Joint Committee to fund our project has made us very happy and fits very well with our forward-looking RHÖN campus concept. Furthermore the funded project underlines the innovative force of our company which is also based on linking all the medical services of our regional hospitals with those of our two big university hospitals.”

Prof. Dr. Bernd Griewing, the medical board member, explained: „The project is aimed at reducing avoidable hositalisations and consequentially developing an alternative regional remuneration model since the structures of the healthcare system and the separate remuneration forms with their false incentives are increasingly being put into question both by politicians and by medical professions alike.”

The consortium consists of the following parties: statutory health insurance companies AOK– Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse in Hesse and DAK Gesundheit, the Bavarian association of accredited physicians (Kassenärztliche Vereinigung Bayerns - KVB) and the PriMa e.G. association of physicians. The centre for telemedicine (Zentrum für Telemedizin - ZTM) in Bad Kissingen as an independent service platform is available for any technical questions. The private institute for applied healthcare research (Institut für angewandte Versorgungsforschung GmbH - inav) will work closely with the practical service providers for developing and assessing alternative remuneration models. The project will be evaluated by the RWI ‑ Leibniz Institute for Economic Research (RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschafsforschung e.V.) and the institute for applied healthcare research (Institut für angewandte Gesundheitsforschung (InGef)). Patient self-help groups and the German Heart Foundation (Deutsche Herzstiftung) are involved in the form of an advisory board.

The consortium is to commence its work in mid-2020 and initial results are expected at the end of 2023.

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RHÖN‐KLINIKUM AG is one of the largest healthcare providers in Germany. The hospital group offers excellent medical care with a direct link to universities and research institutes. More than 850,000 patients are treated every year at the five group hospitals located in Bad Berka, Bad Neustadt, Frankfurt (Oder), Giessen and Marburg where more than 17,000 employees work. With the RHÖN campus concept the Company is currently implementing a new and forward-looking project which raises fully comprehensive healthcare in rural areas to a new level of excellence and is geared to the growing needs of patients.

More information under www.rhoen-klinikum-ag.com

Contact Persons:

RHÖN-KLINIKUM AG | Head of Corporate Communication and Marketing
Elke Pfeifer
Telephone: +49 9771 65-1327 | E-Mail: elke.pfeifer(at)rhoen-klinikum-ag.com

RHÖN-KLINIKUM AG | Head of Investor Relations und Treasury
Julian Schmitt
Telephone: +49 9771 65-1536 | E-Mail: julian.schmitt(at)rhoen-klinikum-ag.com