Direct Access Physiotherapy
In 2011 Direct Access Physiotherapy. What does that mean for you?
Also in 2011 you do not need a referral letter for the physiotherapist. Of course, you can always make an appointment with the doctor first. But in principle it does not have to be done anymore. That has advantages. In this way you will immediately 'move' to the specialist. So that you can start working 'immediately' again on your recovery. The GP continues to play the central role in coordinating your care.
The physical therapist will continue to inform the GP, unless you indicate that you do not want this. If you decide to go directly to the physiotherapist, it first carries out a so-called screening. This means that he first determines whether you are at the right address at the physiotherapist. If not, he can, for example, send you to the doctor.
If you can be treated by the physiotherapist, he or one of his colleagues can work in consultation with you. And that is so nice. After all, the faster you can be treated, the faster you recover.
Physiotherapy and the new healthcare system
From 1 January 2006 everyone who lives or works in the Netherlands will be required to pay the same health insurance. This health insurance reimburses the costs for most of the health care. This part is called the basic package. The basic package is the same for everyone and is the same as the national health insurance package.
The basic package only reimburses physiotherapy in a limited number of cases: (1) physiotherapy for chronic patients (ask your physiotherapist) from the thirteenth treatment and (2) physiotherapy for children up to the age of 18 (maximum 9 treatments per indication per year or completely for chronic complaints ).
For the other patients, physiotherapy is reimbursed in most additional insurance policies. The supplementary insurance is not mandatory. In this overview you can check how the reimbursement of physiotherapy is arranged in your additional insurance. This overview only provides insight into the physiotherapy reimbursement. That is only one aspect from the supplementary package of an insurer. We therefore recommend that you view the full reimbursement overview of a supplementary insurance and, in your choice, not only take the reimbursement of physiotherapy and the amount of the premium information about the new health insurance system, the basic premium, the personal contribution, the health care allowance and answers to frequently asked questions can be found on www.verzekeringssite.nl
Reimbursement: in kind or refund
If your insurer has a contract with your physiotherapist, you can opt for the insurer to reimburse the physiotherapy costs directly to the physiotherapist. This is called payment in kind. You can also opt for a refund: you will receive an invoice from your physiotherapist and you can (partly) claim it from your insurer. When you choose a refund, the price list is important: you can check whether and how much you have to pay yourself. You can compare prices between different physiotherapists by, for example, calling them by telephone at various practices in your area. If your physical therapist does not have a contract with your insurer, you will receive the invoice yourself that you can (partially) claim from your health insurer. The price list is therefore of importance again.
Free rates; What does that mean for you?
The government wants to strengthen the quality and accessibility of healthcare with a 'free market'. Until 2006, the government determined the rates of a physiotherapeutic treatment. Physiotherapists now determine their rate themselves. If a physiotherapist demonstrably provides better service or quality because he is a registry physiotherapist, a higher rate may apply.
