Health insurance companies pay for medical homeopathy

Most health insurance companies pay for medical homeopathy

10/05/2013

Health services of homeopathy are not listed in the catalog of benefits of the statutory health insurance. Nevertheless, a majority of health insurances pay homeopathic treatments. However, therapies are not reimbursed by non-medical practitioners, most funds want the treatment to be carried out by licensed doctors who have completed a special additional qualification.

90 out of 130 health insurances offer homeopathy
Homeopathy is not one of the compulsory services of the health insurance companies. Nevertheless, cash registers always advertise and take homeopathic treatments. According to the German Central Association of Homeopathic Doctors (DZVhÄ), there are now over 70 percent of health insurance companies in Germany, which allows their insured homeopathy. However, the therapies may only be performed by specially trained physicians. „For the health insurance companies, this is probably a marketing tool to differentiate themselves from the competition“, suspects the chairman of the German Central Association of Homeopathic Doctors (DZVhÄ), Cornelia Bajic. Because the membership fees are staggered the same everywhere, which is why the health insurance companies want to differentiate themselves from each other. Many patients wish „homeopathic procedures as a supplement or even alternative to conventional medicine.“ About 90 of the currently 130 health insurance companies take over the service „medical homeopathy“. Another alternative area is osteopathy. Here too, more and more health insurance companies are offering such therapies.

Heilpraktiker excluded
Naturopaths see this development with suspicion. After all, their benefits are still not recognized by the health insurances. „Only those who go to a doctor who also offers homeopathy will be reimbursed for the treatment costs“, confirms a spokesman. The central association of the health insurance companies stressed in this context that homeopathy „not to the mandatory standard services“ belong. However, individual health insurance providers would have the option of concluding special contracts or offering so-called statutory benefits.

According to statements of the Central Association of Homeopathic Doctors, there are about 7000 homeopathic physicians in Germany who have acquired a recognized homeopathic additional qualification after their studies in medical school and specialist training.

Homeopathy is based on the principle of similarity
Homeopathy was founded by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann in 1796. Translated from Greek means homeopathy „similar suffering“ and is based on the similarity principle. A widely used remedy is the so-called globulis, which consist of arnica, for example. In the potency D6 the „sugar pills“ For example, children with open knees administered to quench the bleeding and to stimulate the healing process.

The University Hospital Charité is currently conducting research in cooperation with Techniker Krankenkasse „the effectiveness and the cost effectiveness between the Integrated Care with classical homeopathy and conventional therapy“. Since 2007, a total of nine observational studies have been compared. Some of the subjects take part in standard therapies, for example for migraine or headaches, while another part also receives homeopathic remedies. First results are expected this year. (Sb)