Hausarztprogramm experiences, recommendations. Is it worth it?

[distante 8]

Hello everyone! I hope you're all doing well. I have a question regarding the Hausarztprogramm that my doctor recommended to me a while ago.

 

I've done some research on it, but since my German level is not that great, I'm not entirely sure if I've understood everything correctly. I was wondering if anyone here has any experience with the program and could share their thoughts on its benefits? I've been seeing the same physician for the past five years and I'm happy with the care I've received so far, so I'm not sure if signing up for the program would be worth it in the long run. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

I know I will not move out for several years (or even never), and I am OK with my current physician, I just do not want to start something that would just give me a headache in the future.

 

Thanks!

 

 

[karin_brenig 708]

well, looking at the description that Barmer gives on this - I've been participating unknowingly forever.

When I have any health problem, other than an immediate emergency like a broken bone, I always contact my primary care physician first. When she feels she can't handle my problem, she recommends a specialist and helps me get an appointment there quickly.

 

Unless Barmer gives you some kind of "rebate" to sign up for this "Hausarztprogramm", I wouldn't see what you have to gain from signing up for it.

[BethAnnBitt 2,954]

56 minutes ago, karin_brenig said:

well, looking at the description that Barmer gives on this - I've been participating unknowingly forever.

When I have any health problem, other than an immediate emergency like a broken bone, I always contact my primary care physician first. When she feels she can't handle my problem, she recommends a specialist and helps me get an appointment there quickly.

Totally agree.  Why bind one’s self unnecessarily?  Therefore, I turned down a similar offer from a previous Hausärztin.

[Feierabend 1,145]

This gives an overview of possible pros and cons:

https://www.krankenkasseninfo.de/ratgeber/60340/hausarztprogramm-teilnehmen-oder-lieber-nicht.html

 

[fraufruit 42,166]

The cons look a lot like they are becoming more like U.S. health insurance where the patient has no say in which doctors/specialists they see and insurance companies dictating diagnostic tests and treatments.

 

No, thank you. What I have ain't broke.

 

ETA - I have to wonder why doctors would recommend this to their patients. What's in it for them?

[snowingagain 5,354]

31 minutes ago, fraufruit said:

The cons look a lot like they are becoming more like U.S. health insurance where the patient has no say in which doctors/specialists they see and insurance companies dictating diagnostic tests and treatments.

 

No, thank you. What I have ain't broke.

 

ETA - I have to wonder why doctors would recommend this to their patients. What's in it for them?

With our version of this, we can still choose the doc.  But with certain exceptions (Frauenarzt and things like the skin check up thing, possibly others) you just have to go to HA first, and they just give you a referral.  Of course, they might decided to do a blood test or something even before doing this.  I do not have a problem with this.

[BethAnnBitt 2,954]

39 minutes ago, fraufruit said:

The cons look a lot like they are becoming more like U.S. health insurance where the patient has no say in which doctors/specialists they see and insurance companies dictating diagnostic tests and treatments.

That’s just certain plans.  Not what we had, nor any of my family & friends.  

Quote

No, thank you. What I have ain't broke.

Agreed.

Quote

ETA - I have to wonder why doctors would recommend this to their patients. What's in it for them?

Guaranteed stream of revenue.

[BethAnnBitt 2,954]

16 minutes ago, snowingagain said:

With our version of this, we can still choose the doc.  But with certain exceptions (Frauenarzt and things like the skin check up thing, possibly others) you just have to go to HA first, and they just give you a referral.  Of course, they might decided to do a blood test or something even before doing this.  I do not have a problem with this.

My previous doctor who wanted me to do this was evasive about the benefits.  We researched with our insurer and realized it was too restrictive.  I’m glad it worked out for you.  In theory it could work well and be very practical for certain folks.

[scook17 281]

On 5/7/2023, 4:45:05, BethAnnBitt said:

My previous doctor who wanted me to do this was evasive about the benefits.  We researched with our insurer and realized it was too restrictive.  I’m glad it worked out for you.  In theory it could work well and be very practical for certain folks.

 

Did you ask him, if he or the practice benefitted financially from such a 'recommendation'?

It was a very good day when they made all insurance and pension policies in the UK show the effect of charges.

If you are not OK with sharing any commission information, it's likely because you have a reason I should not be able to make an informed choice.

I wonder if they do now in Germany, or have plans to make disclosure of commissions mandatory.

[snowingagain 5,354]

The health insurance companies benefit as the system seems to lead to illness being treated more appropriately.  That is, fewer late admissions.   A lot of specialists will not take you without a referral (though my KK does not insist on a particular practice).  And it can be a really good idea having a (good) Hausarzt coordinating and overseeing treatments, etc.

 

[jeba 4,363]

2 hours ago, scook17 said:

 

Did you ask him, if he or the practice benefitted financially from such a 'recommendation'?

It was a very good day when they made all insurance and pension policies in the UK show the effect of charges.

If you are not OK with sharing any commission information, it's likely because you have a reason I should not be able to make an informed choice.

I wonder if they do now in Germany, or have plans to make disclosure of commissions mandatory.

What does commission have to do with it? Remember that public health insurance isn't allowed to make a profit. You won't pay any more because of it. Doctors used to get a small fee (it used to be €20) though because of the increase of efficiency that is hoped for and which would result in savings for your KK.

[lunasuenos 84]

This is similar to how a HMO works in the USA. For 50 euros a year there is no benefit whatsoever to do this. If you get a referal your hauzart is already copied on any results. If you go to a sepcialist without referral you can alsways add them to the forms there so they get those results as well.

[fraufruit 42,166]

1 hour ago, snowingagain said:

The health insurance companies benefit as the system seems to lead to illness being treated more appropriately.  That is, fewer late admissions

 

The way I read it is that health insurance companies can start making decisions about treatments and whether you can have them or not. It looks like a slippery slope to American insurance companies to me.

 

All of my illnesses have been treated appropriately here and in a timely manner so far.

[snowingagain 5,354]

UK you have to do everything via a GP.  Always have.  

[fraufruit 42,166]

Sucks to live there.

[BethAnnBitt 2,954]

19 hours ago, scook17 said:

Did you ask him, if he or the practice benefitted financially from such a 'recommendation'?

No.  But German friends have said they do.  🤷‍♀️  This was in 2021, and the Ärztin actively marketed the program to me, and when I asked what the purpose was she said that Germans switch doctors too often and this is an effort to promote another way of doing things.  I signed up initially, feeling pressured from her, and knowing that I had a window (4 weeks?) in which to rescind, which I did after further research.  The next time I saw her she wanted to know why I rescinded, which was quite awkward for me, and then she let it go cuz she saw that it was making me feel uncomfortable to be put on the spot that way, which was one factor in straining that relationship.  

 

This Ärztin and her husband practice jointly, and post-Covid, I don’t see as much action there, though I know people who really like that practice.  My husband sees the Arzt there and he never told hubby boo about this program.  I get the feeling the woman wanted to whip the practice in better shape with regular customers.  🤷‍♀️  That’s partly a gut feeling, and also a result of discussing the situation with other locals and German friends, none of whom participate in such a program.

 

I have since started at a different neighborhood practice, where the waiting room is always quite active, and that program has never been discussed.  No practice is perfect, but I feel more comfortable with the new Arzt, and if one isn’t comfortable then one doesn’t go, which isn’t helpful.  At the end of the day one must always self advocate.  I’m finally learning how to do that here.