The Ministry of Health is preparing to improve the reimbursement and availability of breast epitheses and medical devices for breast cancer patients after mastectomy. At the same time, from the new year the patient will get postoperative epithesis immediately after surgery, even during hospitalisation. The measures aim to improve the quality of post-operative care, promote physical and psychological recovery of patients and take into account their real needs in the treatment process.
The breast cancer is a diagnosis that changes life from day to day. After mastectomy, women are going through a difficult course of treatment, recovery, and finding a new balance. Improving the availability of breast epithesis and medical devices is seen as a specific form of support that helps patients regain dignity, self-confidence and quality of life. said Minister of Health Kamil Šaško. The most common indication for mastectomy is breast malignancy. In Slovakia, approximately 3500 new cases of breast cancer in women are newly diagnosed every year, according to the National Health Information Centre.
In December, the Ministry published a notice on the initiation of proceedings on the modification of the characteristics of the subgroup of medical devices, breast epitheses (silicon), which are included in the list of categorised medical devices. The objective is to adjust the maximum amount of health insurance premiums and change the quantitative limit. The change is designed to cover the two most prescribed breast epitheses without surcharge. In particular, the quantitative limit will be adjusted so that the patient is entitled to one piece during the first six months of mastectomy and subsequently to one piece once a year. (two epitheses in the first year, taking into account changes in patient needs during treatment). This upcoming change will help improve patient comfort.

This is also appreciated by the patient organisations of the Cancer League, Amazon, Not Cancer and Onkoinfo. In October we contacted the Slovak Ministry of Health with a proposal to adjust the quantitative and financial limit for a medical bra. After the change in the payment and availability of breast epitheses, we expect final approval in January of the announced proposal to include a compressive mobilisation bra with a new contribution to pay. These changes and adjustments are long-awaited and indisputably necessary by cancer patients. We therefore appreciate this action by the Ministry of Health and believe that our constructive proposals and requirements for cancer patients will continue to be implemented, President of the League against cancer, Eva Blacksmith, responded.
The next important step is that from 1 January 2026 a new performance is introduced under the DRG system, whereby patients get post-operative epithesis immediately after surgery during hospitalisation. This is an important step to ensure early post-operative care for patients. They had to go to the dispensary after hospitalization, so they can get them in the ward from the next year during hospitalization.
At the same time, the Ministry of Health is also involved in supporting the treatment of cancer complications. A proposal for the inclusion of a compressive mobilisation bra for the treatment of lymphoedema with mobilization inserts of various sizes was discussed at the CEC meeting on 10 December 2025. A positive assessment of the National Institute for Value and Technology in Health (NIHO) was published on the proposal, which provides an important technical basis for further decision-making.
The Health Department continues to work systematically to improve the availability of medical devices and to set fair and sustainable reimbursement conditions, taking into account patients' needs and expert advice.