Shortening the waiting time for psychotherapy place

Waiting time on Psychotherapieplatz should be shortened by reimbursement

01/09/2012

The Federal Psycho-Therapeutic Council (BPtK) points out that reimbursement for treatment by legally insured persons is possible for non-licensed therapists in the event that those affected have to wait more than three months for a treatment center with a licensed clerk.

Long waiting times are unreasonable
BPtK President Rainer Richter explains: „In 2012 too few psychotherapists were admitted for care.“ As a result, sufferers often have to accept unreasonably long waiting times for a therapy place. The BPtK therefore informs about the possibility of taking over the costs of therapies without cash register approval.

First, the legally insured should ask the therapist in his vicinity for a place to therapy. If he had to wait more than three months, this is considered unreasonable. For the reimbursement of a „private therapy“ requires the legally insured proof of the long wait. For this purpose, he creates a list with the date, time and duration of the waiting time. The insured then informs his health insurance about the unsuccessful search for a therapist and presents the list.

If the health insurance company is not in a position to provide a place of therapy within a reasonable period, the insured person can seek out a licensed psychotherapist without a cash register. This should issue a certificate of the need for the health insurance. Subsequently, the insured person can ask his health insurance company to agree to the treatment with the therapist and to reimburse the costs of treatment in accordance with section 13 (3) of the Social Security Code (SGB) V.

Particularly rural regions affected by undersupply at psychotherapy places
According to a study commissioned by the German Psychotherapists Association (DptV), the provision of outpatient treatment is insufficient, especially for rural people. The Department of Medical Management of the University of Duisburg-Essen carried out a survey study in which a total of 2,500 outpatient psychotherapists were interviewed to care for patients. About 52 percent of all interviewed therapists said they had a long waiting list. In rural regions and small towns, the average waiting time for outpatient treatment is over one hundred days (104), and in major cities and metropolitan areas about 62 days. „The supply situation with outpatient psychotherapy in less densely populated regions is inadequate than in large cities“, notes Prof. Jürgen Wasem. Also, the supply of care for older people and men was not enough according to the study. (Ag)

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