Brazil’s Ministry of Health launched an initiative on August 14 in Recife,aiming to utilize private hospitals to serve patients within the Unified Health System (SUS). The launch, attended by President Lula (PT), saw eight patients receive care. However, further procedures under the program have not yet been performed by private operators.

The ministry has stated that the specialized health action is still expanding as “more private agents complete their ticket,” but has not specified when these services will become routine for SUS patients.

The “now has experts” program is seen as President Lula’s effort to leave a significant mark on healthcare during his third term. The initiative anticipates exchanging R $ 1.3 billion in health insurance debt for patient care.

This partnership with private plans is a key component of a broader program designed to decrease waiting times for specialized consultations within the public network. The plan involves operators converting reimbursement debts owed to the SUS-amounts they are required to pay when a plan-enrolled patient uses public facilities-into direct patient care.

During the program’s debut at hapvida’s Ariano Suassuna Hospital, eight patients underwent various procedures, including two hip arthroplasty surgeries, two gallbladder surgeries, two tomography scans, and two magnetic resonance imaging scans. President Lula visited at least two of these patients,according to images released by Planalto.

The Ministry of Health has affirmed that Hapvida’s participation adhered to the “now has experts” legislation, which mandates that operators perform at least R $ 100,000 worth of procedures for the public network.

In late July, health Minister alexandre Padilha (PT) indicated that consultations, exams, and surgeries would be available through the private network by late August. This timeline was echoed in a statement from the Ministry of Health,which was later revised on its website to reflect a September launch.

Delays and Managerial Perspectives

SUS managers considered Padilha’s initial announcement premature, citing the reliance on private plans’ willingness to participate and the ongoing analysis of proposals. According to four authorities involved in discussions between the ministry, states, and municipalities, these factors made it challenging to commence services within the initially projected timeframe.

“The next step is to continue this dialog for the continuous improvement and improvements of the program towards excellence.”

The Ministry of Health presented the accreditation announcement for health plans on August 11, just three days before the Recife inauguration. While the government has not yet officially confirmed the adhesion of any operator as per the notice, it maintains that Hapvida is accredited.

When questioned, the ministry did not disclose which operators have applied to the specialist program or the number of procedures they intend to offer.

Hapvida stated that it was the first carrier to join the initiative, possessing “the necessary conditions,” including its own hospital network, to support the program.

“The adhesion was made by phases and started in recife,at Ariano Suassuna Hospital,which is the largest unit of the network in the North/northeast and newly opened,and will be expanded as the program is gaining traction. This model allows the company to provide infrastructure and specialists according to local needs, ensuring efficiency and capillarity,” said the operator.

Broader Program components

Other aspects of the “now has experts” program include government partnerships with hospitals and clinics willing to exchange federal debts with the SUS. The ministry reports analyzing proposals from 130 establishments, excluding health plans services. The initiative also aims to extend services to remote areas via mobile units, enhance public data integration, and increase the number of medical specialists within the SUS.

Gustavo Ribeiro, president of Abramge (Brazilian Association of health Plans), stated that the program’s launch and initial care provided by operators “are relevant steps for the necessary integration between public and private health systems.” He added, “The next step is to continue this dialogue for the continuous improvement and improvements of the program towards excellence that marks the Brazilian model of health care.”

Fenasaúde (National Federation of Supplementary Health) also views the Ministry’s program positively.Bruno Sobral, executive director of the federation, said, “It is a good initiative to reduce the waiting line in specialized care. Health plans and private hospitals have a complementary performance to SUS and the new program accentuates this character.”