Interview with Cristian Hotoboc, President of Patronatul Furnizorilor de Servicii Medicale Private – PALMED and UEHP Vice President
PALMED held the 15th Edition of its National Conference on June 12–14, 2026, what were the main topics of discussion?
There is currently a major debate involving the National Health Insurance House (NHIH) regarding the National Health Programs, which fund treatments for major diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. The NHIH manages the social health insurance system and has extensive powers regarding the reimbursement of medicinal products.
The NHIH has introduced a controversial formula to determine whether private healthcare providers can participate in the National Health Programs. The new rule is based on a complex mathematical equation that assesses whether there are sufficient public healthcare providers to meet patients’ needs within a given county. If the answer is yes, patients are limited to receiving treatment in public hospitals; if not, private clinics may be contracted.
In practice, however, public hospitals are unable to meet patient demand, and private hospitals have contracts with the NHIH to provide care. For example, the majority of oncology, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy centers are operated by private providers. The private sector accounts for approximately 80% of specialist clinical providers and offers modern equipment, high-performance laboratories, and oncology centers equipped with state-of-the-art technology.
We would therefore like to reach a consensus at the parliamentary level to facilitate the process for private healthcare providers to conclude contracts with the NHIH, particularly given the insufficient capacity of the public sector. Cancer patients’ prognosis depends on timely, high-quality treatment, and the private sector has the capacity to provide it.
In addition, we would like to include teleradiology in the framework contracts with the NHIH in order to help address the shortage of radiologists. This is also the subject of significant ongoing debate.
Another issue raised during the 15th Edition of the PALMED National Conference is the current digitalization project of the Romania’s National Health Insurance House (CNAS) and the replacement of the outdated reimbursement platform. Large private healthcare providers have invested heavily in their own appointment and scheduling systems, electronic medical records and patient portals, and billing systems. Therefore, the new system is expected to offer improved interoperability with providers’ own IT systems.
The private healthcare sector emphasizes the need for greater dialogue with public authorities before introducing new regulations, as involving providers early in the process would help prevent conflicts, avoid public controversies, and facilitate the implementation of necessary changes. Effective communication and early consultation with stakeholders are essential to ensure that healthcare reforms are well understood, accepted, and successfully implemented.
What are the main trends shaping the development of healthcare services in Romania?
The private healthcare sector has grown rapidly in Romania over the past two decades and is expected to continue expanding, providing an increasing share of healthcare services. It plays a crucial role in supporting the public health system by relieving pressure on public hospitals, while many private providers, including general practitioners, deliver services reimbursed by the National Health Insurance House (NHIH).
However, despite being considered a strategic partner with significant investments in healthcare infrastructure, the private sector remains sometimes undervalued by policymakers and faces inadequate reimbursement rates and contractual conditions.
How do you expect the private sector in Romania to develop over the next five years?
Over the next five years, the Romanian private healthcare sector expects continued strong growth, with revenues projected to increase by at least 20%. However, sustaining this growth will require greater political recognition of the sector’s role and continued advocacy to improve the regulatory and reimbursement framework. Frequent changes in government and health ministers create policy uncertainty and require constant engagement with new decision-makers, making long-term reforms more difficult.
