We must finally overcome the misguided incentives
The Swiss healthcare system is facing a decisive turning point. In an interview with Medinside, Prof. Dr. med. Christoph Meier, Chief Medical Officer of VIVA Health Suisse, explains why the current model is unsustainable – and how Swiss Medical Network is paving the way for the future with VIVA Health.
The challenge: misguided incentives and fragmentation
Today, the system rewards volume rather than quality. More cases mean more revenue – but not necessarily better medicine. In some areas, such as knee and hip replacements, Switzerland has the highest rates in the world. At the same time, there is a lack of incentive for conservative or preventive treatment.
«In the long term, such systemic misguided incentives are neither financially viable nor in the interests of patients,» says Meier.
The solution: capitation and integrated care
The VIVA Health Suisse model is based on capitation: a global budget and overall responsibility for care – both medical and financial.
This creates incentives for:
- Prevention instead of overcare
- Coordination instead of silos
- Outcome instead of quantity
«Savings are not achieved through underprovision, but through coordination and the elimination of misguided incentives,» emphasises Meier. Systems such as Kaiser Permanente show that integrated models can increase quality and efficiency.
Technology and new roles
Digital solutions such as an integrative health app and health coordinators ensure transparency and personal responsibility. New job profiles and AI-supported diagnostics can save resources – without any loss of quality.
Our vision
Swiss Medical Network and VIVA Health Suisse want to create a system that:
- provides strong primary care,
- makes quality measurable,
- and reduces costs in the long term.
«The time for change is now. We must put patients back at the centre,» says Meier.
