Doctors deny bribery with catch premiums

Doctors indignant about the charge of corruption

05/24/2012

According to a recent study commissioned by the umbrella association of statutory health insurance, many doctors collect so-called „Fang premiums“ for transferring patients to specific clinics or colleagues. However, the medical profession vehemently rejects this accusation. A similar accusation had already been made in 2009.

Doctors and clinics under general suspicion
Like the news portal „InFranken.de“ reported, the Coburg house and specialists vigorously defend against the charge of bribery. They would be tired of being under general suspicion. Family doctor Thomas Scheller feels like many other doctors suspected, „Fang premiums“ to collect his patients to certain clinics, colleagues and institutions. Accusations were made on the basis of a recent study commissioned by the umbrella association of statutory health insurance companies. „They collect even salaries in the six-figure range and afford only lobbying, "criticizes Scheller.Already in 2009, there was a similar charge against the doctors.And then responded many Coburg physicians with a publicly issued affidavit in which they rejected all bribery allegations Part of the explanations hang today in the doctors' offices. „We only feel obliged to our patients and, if necessary, refer them to where they receive the best treatment, "emphasizes Scheller

Are freelance doctors soon history?
Such a bribe would be a case for the prosecutor, explains the internist Helmut Keller. „That prohibits our occupational order alone. He decides on remittances according to medical and not financial aspects. "His family physician Oliver Gregor also sees the allegations very critically and relates them to the current medical day Training future doctors would be asked. „Since it is already prevented by the doctors are criminalized.

The family doctor, like many of his colleagues, suspects that there will no longer be freelance doctors in the future. The patients would then be taken over by stock-oriented corporations. „And the health insurances would like us to be their servants, "adds Gregor Thomas Scheller has a similar opinion: „We freelancers only disturb the system. "There is a close connection between the interests of politics and health insurances.

Apart from the doctors, there is also the accusation of corruption against the clinics, because these are supposed to be the „Fang premiums“ pay for the referral of patients. Mario Bahmann, Managing Director of the Coburg Clinic, explains aloud „InFranken.de“: „This reproach is not new. And precisely because we know this attitude, we handle these things very sensitively. Offering money to physicians is out of the question for us. "He acknowledges, however, that this might happen in conurbations due to competition.

However, there is a close connection between the hospital and general practitioners when training future doctors. Young physicians who are completing their training at the Klinikum Coburg can carry out the practical part in practices of physicians in private practice. „And there are no funds flowing in the process, "emphasizes the general practitioner Bernhard Hillenbrand, which states that there are separate employment contracts, and that the training doctors would not even be able to pay for the increased time required.

According to the study, catch premiums are not uncommon
Study Director Professor Kai Bussmann of the Economy & Crime Research Center of the Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg and his team examined the premium payments to physicians on behalf of the GKV-Spitzenverband. The GKV-Spitzenverband reported in the press release that the study „on a self-assessment and industry assessment of health care providers for the knowledge and application of legal norms and the practice of targeted allocations“ is based. Therefore, allocations for premium payments are not isolated cases.

For the investigation 180 employees in leading positions of inpatient facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation and spa facilities, 600 general practitioners and 361 service providers from the non-medical field were surveyed throughout Germany, which included pharmacists, orthopedic and medical supplies. The evaluation showed that 14 percent of the surveyed medical professionals said that allocations were against economic benefits common. 35 percent said that premiums were at least partially common. 20 per cent said that such an approach to other doctors or service providers is often the case. In inpatient facilities are the „Fang premiums“ apparently on the agenda. Twenty-four percent of respondents in this area indicated that assignments were the standard practice. (Ag)

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