Health insurance companies post losses for first time in four years

All Czech health insurance firms posted losses in 2012 and spent their financial reserves– proof that a crucial part of health care reform - the health insurance bill - is badly needed. The firms finished in the red for the first time since 2008. Czech hospitals had to wait almost to the end of the year whether health insurers would sign new contracts with them for the coming years. The year did see any major shake-ups up at the Health Ministry but did see the chief hygiene officer replaced and major changes introduced in the management and administration of the country’s largest state-owned insurer VZP.