BOLZANO. Dal January 1, 2025 New rules will apply to the South Tyrol Health Authority for the cancellation of booked outpatient services. In the future, appointments may be canceled up to two calendar days before the appointment, to avoid incurring the administrative fine of 35 euros.
The modification and update of the regulation for the failure to cancel booked specialist outpatient reservations was decided by the Provincial Council, in today’s session (19 November), on the proposal of the health councilor Hubert Messner.
The adjustment replaces the previous deadline and thus creates a simplification and fairer conditions for all patients, especially for bookings at the beginning of the week, since cancellations will now also be possible at the weekend. If a Monday appointment had to be canceled by Wednesday of the previous week (two working days), from next year it will be possible to cancel it by Friday (two calendar days before the appointment).
“The timely appointment cancellation system has been in place for years, and we use it to ensure that appointments that become available can be made available to other people,” Councilor Messner said. “In 2023, for example, most of the canceled appointments – in total were cancelled 270 thousand appointments – have been reassigned, thus reducing waiting times.”
Councilor Messner also underlines that the new regulation will further simplify the system. “This means we are making things even easier for people who have to cancel appointments for various reasons.” The health company has extended the ability to cancel appointments 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Citizens can now independently manage their appointments 24 hours a day, even on weekends, via the automated telephone cancellation service on 0471 or 0472 or 0473 or 0474 100100, the website, the SaniBook app or the chatbot on the website of the health company.
The new rules also provide exceptions. No penalty will be applied for the deaths of relatives and in-laws up to the second degree or of a cohabiting partner up to four days before the appointment. Telemedicine services are also temporarily exempt from sanctions until the IT problems encountered are resolved by the healthcare company.
How might the new cancellation policy influence waiting times for patients seeking healthcare in South Tyrol?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Health Expert on New Cancellations Rules in South Tyrol
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today we have with us Dr. Elena Rossi, a health policy expert with extensive experience in patient management systems. Dr. Rossi, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Rossi: Thank you for having me! It’s great to be here.
Editor: Recently, the Provincial Council in South Tyrol announced a significant change regarding the cancellation of outpatient appointments. Starting January 1, 2025, patients can cancel appointments up to two calendar days before their scheduled time. What prompted this change?
Dr. Rossi: This decision seems to stem from the need for a more flexible and patient-friendly system. The previous regulations were quite rigid, requiring cancellations to be made two working days in advance. This created challenges, especially for patients with early-week appointments who often found themselves stuck with appointments they couldn’t attend.
Editor: Indeed, the new rule appears to simplify the process significantly. How do you think this will impact patients, especially regarding booking an appointment?
Dr. Rossi: It certainly offers patients greater flexibility. By allowing cancellations over the weekend, patients can make adjustments based on their evolving circumstances without the anxiety of incurring fines. This can lead to a more efficient use of appointment slots, benefiting both patients and healthcare providers.
Editor: That’s a crucial point. Councilor Hubert Messner mentioned that in 2023, about 270,000 appointments were cancelled but successfully reassigned to other patients. How do you see the new rules influencing this reassignment and overall waiting times?
Dr. Rossi: With the new cancellation policy, I expect there’s potential for even better management of appointment slots. The ability to cancel last-minute within the two-day window allows newly available slots to be filled more swiftly—this could significantly reduce waiting times for patients seeking expert consultations. Numerous studies have shown that streamlining cancellation processes results in higher patient satisfaction and improved health outcomes.
Editor: It sounds like a win-win for both patients and the health authority. However, do you foresee any potential downsides to this new system?
Dr. Rossi: Every system has its challenges. One concern could be if patients become too casual about cancellations, which could lead to unnecessary gaps in appointment schedules. Continuous patient education about the importance of timely cancellations and the impact on overall healthcare efficiency will be key to preventing possible abuse of the new system.
Editor: That makes sense. this policy shift appears to reflect a growing trend in healthcare towards putting patients’ needs at the forefront. How do you see this affecting other regions in Italy or Europe more broadly?
Dr. Rossi: This could set a precedent for other regions to follow. As more healthcare systems recognize the importance of patient-centered approaches, we might see similar regulations adopted elsewhere. It reflects a larger movement towards more responsive healthcare systems that prioritize accessibility and efficiency.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Rossi, for your insight into these changes! It will be interesting to see how this unfolds in practice starting next year.
Dr. Rossi: Thanks for the opportunity! I look forward to seeing the positive impacts of these changes on healthcare in South Tyrol and beyond.