New IGeL guide for patients

New guide to medical benefits

04/29/2013

Doctors often offer their patients so-called IgeL services. These are diagnostic and health services that are not listed in the catalog of benefits of health insurance and therefore need to be paid out of pocket. A new brochure of the Federal Consumer Protection Ministry on the subject „Individual health services“ should give patients more clarity. It suggests that you ask the attending physician critically and „to get detailed advice“. Patients should be aware with the brochure that the additional health services are lucrative extra earnings for the practice.

Ask for individual health care services
If a doctor offers a paid additional treatment, patients should not react in a passive manner, but instead should actively look for it. Not all IGEL services really make sense or barely do what they promise. A critical question could be: „Why does the health insurance company not pay the examination if this is absolutely necessary?“. The Federal Consumer Protection Ministry points to this in the context of a new brochure „Individual health services (hedgehog). According to this, patients should not be satisfied with simple information from the consultation assistants, but ask for a personal consultation with the doctor.

Allow time for approval or rejection
No hedgehog performance should be rushed. Medical practices improve their economic situation through the offers. Thus, the patient and potential buyer and the doctor becomes a seller. If such a service is offered, consideration should always be given to this. This can be used, for example, to obtain independent information about the meaning and nonsense of the treatment. The statutory health insurance funds, which have a special one, also offer help in this regard „Hedgehog Monitor“ have launched into life. This indicates whether, according to scientific findings, a therapy could be of benefit.

Screenings for early detection and travel vaccinations are titled „Hedgehog“ also offers therapies whose utility and purpose are not sufficiently researched or medically / scientifically proven. Therefore, such treatments may even be negative and pose a health risk. (Sb)

Also read:
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Which IGeL services really make sense
IGeL services often unnecessary at the doctor
Health insurance companies want to restrict additional benefits
Doctors are selling more and more benefits
Doctors as sellers of additional services
Doctor appointments: Cash patients are disadvantaged
Barely useful additional services at the doctor

Picture: Andrea Damm