Research by Invest-NL shows: cross-domain healthcare funding possible through a social business case

Cross-domain healthcare offers a solution by integrating care and well-being among professionals within and outside the healthcare domain. For instance, collaboration among GPs, medical specialists, nurses, paramedics, and lifestyle coaches creates more room for prevention and ensures patients receive the right care at the right time. However, the overarching organization required to facilitate such a network is currently challenging to finance due to the strict separation and funding of healthcare domains.

The study by Invest-NL, in collaboration with the Noaber Foundation and ReumaNederland, conducted by Social Finance NL, shows that mapping the fragmentation of benefits across different domains and stakeholders provides opportunities to sustainably finance cross-domain healthcare. Using the Beweeghuis in Maastricht-Heuvelland – a cross-domain network for people with movement disorders – we have developed a social business case. This case demonstrates that every euro invested yields a saving of nearly four euros. The concrete elaboration of the social business case in the report serves as an example for other initiatives. Invest-NL is now supporting VieCuri Medical Center in setting up a similar cross-domain healthcare network in the North Limburg region.

Outcome-based financing in collaboration with all parties

A potential instrument for funding cross-domain networks in healthcare is outcome-based financing. An example of this is a Health Impact Bond, where stakeholders such as health insurers and the government pay for actual and measured results. This often comes from savings realized through the intervention. Investors are attracted to pre-finance the intervention and earn back their investment with a return if the intended results are achieved. A social business case outlines the results, their financial value, and which parties benefit.

Getting cross-domain networks off the ground with proper funding and scaling

The results of this research are part of a larger project within Invest-NL that provides insights and tools for funding and scaling successful cross-domain networks in healthcare.

"By creating robust, scalable financing instruments such as Health Impact Bonds, we enable initiatives previously considered non-financeable to get off the ground," says Stanleyson Hato, team lead Life Sciences & Health at Invest-NL.

By securing funding for more cross-domain healthcare initiatives, we make societal impact (better care at lower costs) visible and take steps toward an entirely new healthcare funding system aligned with the necessary transition. Thus, Invest-NL makes what seems unfinanceable, financeable: a healthcare system focused on keeping our society healthy.

Invest-NL welcomes collaboration with parties eager to participate in this transition and jointly work towards a healthier, more accessible, and economically sustainable healthcare system. We invite you to get in touch.