Endovenous thermal ablation
Endovenous thermal ablation procedures (such as ELT laser and RFO radio frequency techniques) were newly included as a mandatory benefit in the Health Insurance Benefits Ordinance (KLV) with effect from 1 January 2016.
Tariff structure TARMED
However, these services are not described in the applicable tariff structure, TARMED 1.09 BR, as an individual service.
Agreement with the Union of Vascular Societies of Switzerland
That is why CSS has entered into an agreement with the Union of Vascular Societies of Switzerland (UVSS) on services for the outpatient endovenous treatment of varicose saphenous veins in accordance with the KVG.
The agreement sets out a fixed fee for the endovenous thermal treatment of varicose saphenous veins performed as an outpatient procedure using either the endoluminal laser or endoluminal radio frequency methods. Service providers must possess certification in the “endovenous thermal ablation of varicose saphenous veins” from the Union of Vascular Societies of Switzerland (UVSS).
Join this agreement
Service providers wishing to join this agreement should contact the UVSS directly.
The recommendation of H+ continues to apply:
TARMED item 00.1620 “Treatment by a specialist in angiology", per 5 min.
| Procedure | Total minutes | Detailed breakdown as proposed by ats.tms |
|---|---|---|
| 1 vein (great or small saphenous vein) | 45 | 15 min. preparation and follow-up + 1x 30 min. for service in narrow sense (LieS) |
| 2 veins (great or small saphenous vein) | 75 | 15 min. preparation and follow-up + 2x 30 min. for service in narrow sense (LieS) |
| 3 veins (great or small saphenous vein) | 105 | 15 min. preparation and follow-up + 3x 30 min. for service in narrow sense (LieS) |
| 4 veins (great or small saphenous vein) | 135 | 15 min. preparation and follow-up + 4x 30 min. for service in narrow sense (LieS) |
- Code 00.1620 is applied in line with the actual duration of the treatment, which normally should not exceed the total minutes indicated above (unless there are complications).
- The number of veins featured on the bill can be dealt with in a variety of ways depending on the system used for recording and invoicing the services.
- The corresponding TARMED tariff code must be applied for the other medical services provided before and after the actual thermal ablation.
Contact
If you have any questions about this recommendation, please contact Markus Tschanz at the H+ office.