Health Services Advisory

Electronic patient records, monitoring of health data via an app, communication between doctors and hospitals via a platform, video consultations – these are just a few examples of digital applications in hospitals today that create new diagnostic and treatment options. All are based on medical patient data in digital ecosystems.

We support hospitals and outpatient service providers from the initial idea, through to development and implementation of the digitisation strategy. We’ll show you how to redefine the roles and organisation of your information communication technology and make sure it’s driving you towards your digital future, rather than playing a reactive role. What’s more, we’ll show you how to introduce and integrate new technologies, like robotic process automation (RPA) and cloud solutions. You’ll also benefit from our experience in financing and upskilling.

We can support you through any kind of change – whether a comprehensive transformation, a partial merger through cooperation or a joint venture in supply, research or with industry, and in implementing targeted changes through restructuring or reorganisation. With the right structure and an efficient organisation, you’ll realise the full performance potential of your company in line with your strategic direction. As experts in reorganisation and restructuring, we can help you plan your project in a bespoke way and with a focus on the long term, position yourself correctly, outsource divisions where it makes sense, establish new business units and exploit synergies from partnerships. The starting point will be determined by your current situation, goals and criteria for the new organisation.

A major factor for the success of your transformation is internal buy-in, and this can only be achieved if the management and staff have a good understanding of your plan. That’s why we reduce complexity, from analysis through to implementation. We actively involve all the concerned parties in the project in order to gain their commitment.

In terms of industry classification, the carbon footprint of the Swiss healthcare sector is higher than that of global healthcare markets. A look at the hospital sectors shows that 60% of national carbon emissions are attributable to infrastructure construction and operation, and 40% to patient care and material expenses. This is an area where hospitals can contribute towards the implementation of the Swiss net-zero strategy for climate neutrality in 2050.

We give hospitals step-by-step, strategy-based support in developing an ESG transformation framework. The first step is to define a goal and a vision, and to carry out a corresponding materiality analysis. Measures are drawn up, made operational and implemented by means of a transformation roadmap. Non-financial reporting is set up so that these measures are continuously monitored and communicated to employees, patients and business partners. We also support hospitals in identifying and reporting climate-related financial risks by means of quantitative analyses that serve to measure and manage climate risks.

Anyone interested in the sustained development of the Swiss tariff landscape must navigate a constantly changing regulatory environment, with numerous stakeholders to consider. We’ll be happy to support you with our experience and assist you in successfully completing your project. We’re also actively involved in major regulatory issues and set them in motion (e.g. outpatient before inpatient, outpatient flat rates and additional benefits).

We can assist you with our in-depth knowledge of your industry and proven expertise in strategy and project management organisation (PMO), especially in highly complex multi-stakeholder projects.

You may be considering acquiring or selling a business or parts of a business in the healthcare sector or a related industry. Or perhaps you’re thinking of cooperating closely with another company at an upstream or downstream level. We can support you during a sale or identify potential acquisitions for you. We work together with you to draw up a list of potential targets and support you in achieving your objectives with clearly structured processes.

In the buying and selling process, we take care of valuation issues and financing considerations, and prepare the necessary documentation such as an information memorandum, a letter of intent (LOI) or a share purchase agreement (SPA). Our experts will contact potential investing parties on your behalf. If you wish, we can clarify the financial and operational implications of your project, like changes in tariffs as a result of a change in ownership, VAT considerations, the spin-off of real estate and more.

We develop detailed financial models (business plans) and perform detailed affordability calculations for raising capital and for annual impairment testing. These types of models also come into play if you’re planning an investment project, a spin-off of operations from cantonal structures or a company or business valuation with a view to a purchase, sale or cooperation. We’d be happy to develop a tailored financial model for you or review your current solutions. 

We provide services for service providers (hospitals, psychiatric clinics, rehabilitation facilities and outpatient service providers), benefits providers (health insurers) and for all other companies in the healthcare sector and related industries. We’ve refined our methodology over many years and demonstrated its effectiveness in our work with investors, capital providers and policymakers. We’d be happy to develop a tailored financial model for you or review your existing solutions.

When conducting a statutory coding audit in accordance with the regulations for the implementation of coding audits under SwissDRG, TARPSY and ST Reha, meeting your statutory obligations is straightforward. Through automated sampling and by applying the four-eyes principle when assessing facts, we guarantee you the highest quality. The results are presented in an informative, transparent coding audit report.

Whether for the legally required coding audit, the PLUS coding audit with anomaly testing and systematic examination, or specific questions regarding the SwissDRG, TARPSY and ST Reha tariff systems, you can rely on the advice and determination of our industry experts.

We’ve been performing statutory coding audits since 2012 and have handled over 70 coding audits in the past year.

The Swiss Insurance Association (SIA) has adopted principles for the definition, valuation, billing and future of additional benefits in accordance with the Swiss Insurance Contracts Act (VVG; SICA) by introducing the industry framework ‘Mehrleistungen VVG’ (additional benefits under SICA). PwC helped to develop these principles. Supplementary health insurers are responsible for implementing them in cooperation with service providers. As a leading advisory firm for additional benefits concepts, we’ll assist you in developing a plan of action for your additional benefits and help you plan how to implement the most important measures. This could include introducing a valuation mechanism, establishing effective controlling, developing negotiation strategies, making adjustments to the model contract, drawing up a combined controlling and governance concept, and reporting to the regulator.

For both strategic and operational hospital controlling, you can have complete confidence in our many years of practical experience and our proven knowledge of the industry and tariffs. Generic and tailored risk-oriented data analyses and case-by-case examinations form the basis for our statements and derived measures.

Whichever accounting standard you use, we’re here to advise and assist you. We’re experts on Swiss GAAP FER, IFRS, IPSAS, HRM 2 and accounting in accordance with the Swiss Code of Obligations (CO). With the in-depth knowledge and extensive experience that we’ve gained from many projects, you can rest assured that your questions will be answered competently. We’re also the ideal partner to help you introduce an accounting standard, including a concept for financial reporting.

Robust cost and performance accounting is key to the operational management of a clinic. Increasing the confidence of the various stakeholders in the suitability of the methods being used is essential.

‘H+ Die Spitäler der Schweiz’ (‘H+’) offers certification of the conformity of cost and performance accounting with REKOLE®. Certified cost and performance accounting in accordance with REKOLE® is a seal of quality and strengthens your position in collective bargaining.

Are you looking for a testing body that assesses cost and performance accounting compliance with REKOLE® and are you aiming for (re)certification by H+ on this basis? With our assessment process you can rest assured that (re)certification will be achieved. Thanks to our experience from a range of healthcare operations and our support, you’ll successfully overcome the challenges. We have a straightforward and collaborative way of working, with a focus on open communication. This means your employees are involved in the process and can gain maximum benefit from our knowledge, making the assessment for (re)certification a positive experience for everyone.