Financial position of medical spas - The case of Slovakia

Slovak spas are part of the public healthcare system. This system is under pressure due to the demographic trend of an ageing population and increasing healthcare costs, including costs expended by health insurance companies on spa care. The aim of this research note is to describe the relationship between medical and non-medical forms of spa tourism. By means of a case study, it describes the importance of public health insurance to the occupancy rate of accommodation capacity, the manner of payment for spa care and its medical or wellness character. In addition, it analyses the current financial situation of these operations. The traditional exploitation of natural healing springs for treatment, its connection to the public health insurance system and the level of spa treatments result in the prevalence of medical stays.