SPECIALIST SERVICES FLAG

A flag indicating that Specialised Service top-up payments are to be paid to reimburse Health Care Providers for the higher costs of treating PATIENTS who require this specialised care. 

National prices in the National Tariff Payment System  are calculated on the basis of average costs. They do not therefore take into account cost differences between Health Care Providers  that arise because some Health Care Providers serve PATIENTS with more complex needs.

The purpose of Specialised Service top-up payments for inpatient care relating to some Specialised Services is to recognise these cost differences and to improve the extent to which prices paid reflect the actual costs of providing healthcare, when this is not sufficiently differentiated in the Healthcare Resource Group design.

For further information, see the NHS England  website at:  Developing the national tariff.