New regulations Shortened waiting period provided for in psychotherapy

New regulations should simplify first contact with therapists
Whether depression, fears or burn-out: One in four suffers at any time in his life from a mental disorder. But who seeks therapeutic advice, had to wait until some months months before he got an appointment. But here is a lot to change: In the future, psychotherapists offer a new consultation, in which sufferers faster than before, an assessment of their situation and can receive important assistance.

Long waiting times for mental health problems
Those who suffer from mental health problems often had to wait a long time to receive therapeutic help. According to a statement from the Federal Psychotherapeutic Chamber (BptK), this should change as of April 1: those affected should receive the opportunity for a first consultation much faster than before by creating a new consultation hour.

For mental health problems it should be easier in the future to get an appointment with the therapist. (Image: WavebreakMediaMicro / fotolia.com)

In this, a medical or psychological psychotherapist or child and adolescent psychotherapist should clarify whether a mental illness or a suspicion exists and to what extent the need for a therapy exists. Those affected could also ask questions such as "What further advice can I use?", "Is my ability to work endangered?" Or "What can I do myself to make me feel better mentally?", Informs the BptK.

"The psychotherapist is thus a contact person that can be reached in a timely manner for all mental health problems and illnesses in which a patient himself no longer knows," explained the BptK President. Dietrich Munz

Consultation hours can be used without referral
The therapists are obliged to provide at least 100 minutes per week for the consultation in the future, which corresponds to four appointments of 25 minutes each, according to the information of the Kassenärztliche Bundesvereinigung (KBV). Possible are fixed times, as well as individual appointments. As of April 1, office hours will also be arranged by the appointment service points of the Kassenärztliche Vereinigung.

In order to be able to use the offer, those affected need no transfer. Adults can avail themselves of a 25-minute consultation up to six times, children and adolescents up to ten times. There are also new features in terms of accessibility for appointment brokerage: As of April 1, surgeries have to be reachable by phone at least 200 minutes a week if the supply contract is full. The time windows must each comprise at least 25 minutes, informs the KBV.

Acute treatment can help with serious crises
If the need for a timely psychotherapeutic intervention is identified during the initial consultation, the therapist can offer the patient acute treatment. Here, in the event of a crisis, he receives therapeutic help at short notice, without having to wait until the approval procedures of the health insurance company are tedious. Those affected receive an appointment within four weeks - however, there is no entitlement to a desired appointment with a specific psychotherapist.

Depending on the case, psychotherapeutic acute treatment includes up to 24 25-minute individual treatments. The rapid therapeutic treatment is intended to prevent psychic disorders from solidifying, e.g. cause the person concerned to become disabled.

Number of treatment places does not increase
However, the new offers do not increase the number of available treatment places, emphasizes the Federal Psychotherapeutic Chamber in its communication. Instead, this would be rather scarce. Therefore, many patients would still have to wait long after the consultation until they can start treatment. (No)