The FOPH Analysis List: structure, application & important practical information

This article provides an overview of the Analysis List published by the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health, covering its structure, relevant updates and the practical challenges that arise when applying it.

The Analysis List is reviewed on a regular basis in order to account for both economic and scientific concerns. Laboratories, insurance providers and other actors may submit requests for changes; these requests are first reviewed and, where applicable, are incorporated into the next round of revisions.

An important set of guidelines for physicians and laboratories, the Analysis List indicates which analyses can be invoiced. The list is broken down by disciplines and the various fields of medicine. Clinics that do not comply with these guidelines may be subject to the following:

1. Insurance providers may refuse to assume the costs.
2. Payment recovery claims (5 years) and sanctions may result.
3. Legal and professional consequences: in serious cases, a physician’s license to practice may be in jeopardy.
4. Loss of patient trust

Physicians are advised to review the Analysis List on a regular basis to ensure they are in compliance with all of its requirements and to avoid any potential complications. The following is a brief guide to uploading and using the list:

How to access the Analysis List:

1. Go to the following website (available only in German, French and Italian): https://www.bag.admin.ch/de/analysenliste-al
2. Scroll down to “Gesamtliste der AL” (complete list of AL documentation and versions)
3. Download the list (not available in English) as a PDF or Excel file (Excel format is recommended)

List structure:

• Column B: Item number
• Column C: Tax point
• Column D: Analysis
• Column AB: Rapid analysis
  The spreadsheet contains additional columns indicating specifications and analysis classes.

Rapid analyses (point-of-care tests, POCTs):

These tests provide immediate diagnostic information at clinics, hospitals or pharmacies with no need for sending samples to an external laboratory. Results are available within a few minutes and make quick clinical decisions easier.

Important requirements and certifications for operating a laboratory:

• Medical laboratory operating license
• Compliance with QUALAB requirements and regular participation in round-robin tests for quality assurance

Practical application of the list

Reviewing suitability for invoicing

• Before performing a laboratory analysis, check whether the analysis is on the list and whether special conditions apply.
  > Determining tariffs
• The tax points given in Column C and the current tax point value can be used for calculating remuneration.
  > Taking special conditions into account
• Certain analyses may only be reimbursed if specific criteria are met (such as specific diagnoses or if performed by a specialist).
  > Documentation and proper invoicing
• In order to avoid payment recovery claims or denied claims, services rendered must be invoiced and documented exactly as they appear in the list specifications.

Example:

Say you are a general practitioner and you test a patient’s chloride levels in your clinic.

1. Find the chloride analysis (items are arranged in alphabetical order; you may also use the search function).
2. Select it (click on the row).
3. Scroll over to Column AB and see whether the item is a rapid analysis.

• YES = you may bill for it
• NO = you may not bill for it

Because the Analysis List is updated regularly, it is important to review the latest changes in order to ensure that your billing is correct and that you will not have to cover any costs yourself unexpectedly.

If you have any questions regarding the complete list of analyses, please contact the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health directly.
We hope that you have found this short article to be a helpful overview of the list and its most important points.