Negotiations over reimbursement of therapy costs result in stalemate

The discussion process is known to be full of disagreements and challenges, as both parties have been circling around a solution since 2018. All further negotiations have now been suspended, and problems that were already considered to be resolved are being questioned anew.

Delphine Prüm, president of FAPSYLUX, underlines that the association expects CNS to make the next step: "It is not our turn to come up with a solution, our position is clear. We have also filed them in written form, the national health service now needs to respond."

The psychotherapists' association has several points they consider critical for the provision of high quality services: three fully reimbursed introductory sessions, better communication with the general practitioner, as well as the inclusion of every affiliated CNS member without formal restrictions.

The biggest point of contention remains the right to reimbursement for every insured person, a refusal which FAPSYLUX cannot accept. The association therefore decided not to take part in CNS' proposed pilot project, as it excluded a variety of people from the very start: "People who already underwent psychotherapeutic treatment in a hospital would not have qualified, same as people who have been taking anti-depressants within the past three months, or people below the age of 18 and above the age of 60."

Prüm further explained that she did not feel comfortable signing an agreement that would exclude so many people. According to a German study, urgent treatment costs range around €3,200 on average. At the same time, a successful treatment allows to avoid other expenses, such as replacement costs of sick employees.

The FAPSYLUX president concluded that the help of both the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Social Security is necessary to break the current stalemate. Upon enquiry, CNS representatives declined to comment on the situation while the negotiations are suspended.