How health insurance companies trick with natural remedies

How to trick cash registers in natural health: eco-test reveals false promises.

In a highly topical survey by the Allensbach Institute for Demoscopy, 70 percent of respondents to natural medicine expressed confidence. Understandably therefore, that despite the narrow legal limits many health insurance companies try to advertise the alleged reimbursement of such services. „Eco test“ has investigated what these promises are worth. Has to „Eco test“ Around 120 statutory health insurance companies asked about their additional services in the field of natural medicine. 80 funds participated in the survey. The result (published in Öko-Test 6/2010, 36-55) makes thought-provoking: Many health insurance companies list naturopathic services that their insured persons can not claim at all, as the Committee for Research in Natural Medicine e.V. explained.

Mogel pack number 1: the trick with the rehab
There are funds that promise to cover the costs of a range of naturopathic treatments, albeit with one caveat: the promise is not for outpatient practice, but only if the patient is in the hospital or being treated at a rehab facility. „Eco test“ clarifies: „Thus, the coffers cleverly use a gap in social security law.

Mogelpackung number 2: the trick with the individual case
According to a ruling by the Federal Constitutional Court, health insurance companies have to pay for any kind of treatment for severe illnesses under certain conditions. With this case-by-case regulation, one of the surveyed health insurance companies justifies their benefits for eleven treatment procedures. The catch: The health service is made dependent on a positive opinion of the medical service.

Mogelpackung number 3: the trick with the bonus
To receive a bonus, members of some health insurance companies only have to fulfill the requirements of a fitness program. Some funds act as if they also paid for natural remedies. The insured are therefore well advised to examine the claims of the health insurance companies exactly before they decide for a cash register. (pm, KFN 16/2010, 25.10.2010)