After a loss of almost R$10 billion in 2022, the focus of healthcare operators is to update the prices of their services for various reasons this year.
One of the main reasons is the constant increase in healthcare costs, which ranges from technological developments in hospital equipment and medicines, to the increased demand for healthcare services.
Another factor is the need to adjust the amounts paid by health plans to institutions providing health services, such as hospitals and clinics. These institutions have been increasing their prices to adapt to the new health costs, which implies a transfer of these costs to health plans.
Added to all this, the Covid-19 pandemic had a major impact on the country's health and economy, negatively affecting the financial results of healthcare providers.
The increase in hospital costs, due to new safety protocols and admission of patients infected by the virus, and the drop in revenue due to the resumption of exams, elective surgeries and routine consultations, are some of the factors that affected the cash flow of companies. health operators.
However, it is important to highlight that adjustments must be justified and transparent. Healthcare providers need to take into account the reality of healthcare costs and services provided, as well as the country's economic and social context. Furthermore, it is natural for the National Supplementary Health Agency (ANS) to monitor and regulate these adjustments.
Keep track of adjustment forecasts
The adjustments vary depending on the type of medical insurance. In the individual case, for example, the ANS will define the percentage, whose forecast is around 10%. In other modalities, there is free negotiation between operators and contractors. In medical plans aimed at small and medium-sized companies, increases vary from 16% to 25%. 
And for collective membership health plans, such as QualiCorp, the leader in this segment, 23% was transferred, 10% more than last year, which was 13%.
According to Paulo Moll, president of Rede D'Or, the goal is for the accident rate to return to pre-pandemic levels. In the first quarter, SulAmérica recorded a loss ratio of 88.6%, which represents a drop of 4 percentage points compared to the fourth quarter, but is still 3.4 percentage points higher when compared to the same period in 2022.
It is worth remembering that price increases can have an impact on health plan beneficiaries, especially at a time of economic crisis. Therefore, it is important that healthcare providers communicate clearly and transparently with their customers, explaining the reasons for the adjustment and offering options and benefits that can minimize this impact, such as discounts on consultations, exams and medications.
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