Health insurance comes down on prescribing Benzos - not all doctors may prescrib

A new law by health insurance agency in my country (Germany) has decided that not all doctors may prescribe Benzos. ONLY those trained for substance abuse may prescribe.

 

They are waking up to the dangers of this medication.

A new law by health insurance agency in my country (Germany) has decided that not all doctors may prescribe Benzos. ONLY those trained for substance abuse may prescribe.

 

They are waking up to the dangers of this medication.

 

hi lizzie, i know a  buddie that is friends with a psychiatrist in germany..i'll lead that buddy over to this post so perhaps you can share.

 

love, truck

Lizzie

I have a very good friend in Germany who not is only a psychiatrist , but she has worked for insurance companies , she did this to take a break from her practice and to get away from some problems that she had with some colleagues in the practice she worked for. She was telling me today  that she will not prescribe benzos at all , and the few people that will get prescriptions are only in a case of a crisis, no more than 2 weeks.

I will ask her the next time I talked to her about this new rules , she is very sadden  by what has happened to me , she also mentioned that they have a serious problem with elderly patients that have been prescribed these meds for sleeping .

Tino

A new law by health insurance agency in my country (Germany) has decided that not all doctors may prescribe Benzos. ONLY those trained for substance abuse may prescribe.

 

They are waking up to the dangers of this medication.

 

 

that's a good policy to have !

 

 

sundazed

Man I just posted that there should be rules like this in a thread in the General Support Forum!  Way to go, Germany.  Also I know the world cup is over but you still have my favorite fussball team 

Yay!! we need to follow!

Also I know the world cup is over but you still have my favorite fussball team 

 

Awww, thanks! Thats sweet. I must admit they did play a great game against Argentinia. But had too much respect for Spain, as they consider them the best soccer team in the world.

In the US, insurance companies are starting not to cover benzos so I imagine that will help make a dent in the usage. 

'That´s great news, Beeper! Things are getting rolling - good news  

In the US, insurance companies are starting not to cover benzos so I imagine that will help make a dent in the usage.   

 

Well they should probably cover them... but only for a certain amount of time, like a month or two.

 

Also the generics are so cheap it probably hardly makes a difference.... though I guess $10 or whatever is probably a difference to some people, or maybe even a lot of people.

Dogen, I´m not from the US, but in your above statement do I understand that you get prescriptions from a doctor, but have to pay for the medication out of your own pocket?

 

We have a totally different health insurance system here. We only have to pay a small fee for medications and the rest is taken over/paid for by the health insurance.

 

It depends on your private health insurance.  If you have no insurance, you have to pay out of pocket.  Most people have insurance through their jobs, and a fee is deducted from their paycheck.  If you have insurance, you pay a varying rate based on what the drug is and whether it is still under patent, eg, whether or not there is a 'generic' version not made by the original manufacturer available.  Generic drugs for the most part are really cheap, I think 60mg of Klonopin is about $20 even without insurance, with insurance it's like $10.

 

I'm aware of the whole socialized medicine thing, in fact I took German through college and one of my professors talked about living there and how great it was that he never had to pay for anything, I guess because he had a job through the University he was studying at?  Anyway there's an ongoing political debate in the US right now about how much the public sector should get involved in the health industry, particularly insurance.

In the US, insurance companies are starting not to cover benzos so I imagine that will help make a dent in the usage.   

 

Where did you hear this? I have heard the opposite - some insurance companies are refusing to cover expensive antipsychotics and antidepressants in favor of cheaper benzos in cases of panic disorder. Like my insurance, UHC/Medco.

Dogen, I´m not from the US, but in your above statement do I understand that you get prescriptions from a doctor, but have to pay for the medication out of your own pocket?

 

We have a totally different health insurance system here. We only have to pay a small fee for medications and the rest is taken over/paid for by the health insurance.

 

 

Lizzie,

 

They have revamped our system a bit here in the US and as Dogen said there is a huge debate going on right now about how to maybe revamp the process some more. While we don't have government paid healthcare, we certainly are not taxed nearly as high as people who do. On the one hand, we get to take home much, much more of our paycheck, but on the other hand, we have no socialized medicine.

 

TC

Hi In Australia most health insurance refuse to pay for zero benzo addiction.It is viewed as a choice of drug. To my knowledge it cannot be puchased without a script written by a doctor.Doctors must apply on line to have a script authorised.I have been in touch with many detox centres here and ask about facilities who deal with benzo addiction.Response At no time does the medical field recognise the need for any further support than a Two week withdrawal. Although previous to my addiction, i work in child protection,many persons where heavily controlled by the benzos.I remember many times these clients were thrown off into mental health facilities.Outcome alot of children without parents.Again I was never informed during my training of Benzo addiction.On further discussions with fellow workers only one out of 17 knew of the addictive problems,but stated her knowledge was related to a personal experience.Her desciption of W/D was like someone pumping acid into your veins,and it takes forever to stop.I am sad I didnt know before my usuage but glad I didnt before my c/t.Wow so much for asking.

I'm aware of the whole socialized medicine thing, in fact I took German through college and one of my professors talked about living there and how great it was that he never had to pay for anything, I guess because he had a job through the University he was studying at?

 

No, I don't think so. If you mean Germany, as far as I'm aware, it is a similar system to the UK - health care is paid for through taxation. If you become unemployed, it is still paid for through the tax system (by those working for the benefit of all) - it is not paid through insurance.

 

It is much more efficient than insurance systems at delivering health care, and you cannot have your entitlement removed at the behest of some self-interested insurance company. Yes, for some more routine (non-emergency) treatments, you might have to wait a little longer than in the US, but you will get the treatment. If it is an emergency/urgent, you will receive treatment sooner. And one thing that is never mentioned by those American politicians rubbishing the system over here, we typically see our doctor within a couple of days, or the same day if you tell them it is urgent. If you feel it is urgent in the US, you have no choice but to go to the hospital, or wait for a week or two before you can see your doctor. Honestly, there is a lot of rubbish written about our "socialised" medicine in the US. Everyone is treated here, for less money, irrespective of circumstances or income. It is not perfect, but no system is.

 

And one other thing that makes a huge difference - we do not have to worry about how we might be able to afford treatment and/or insurance. Such worry must be a huge burden to those who are already ill. Of course, in their self-interest, US insurance companies will do everything they can to scare off the US public from a public system.

I'm aware of the whole socialized medicine thing, in fact I took German through college and one of my professors talked about living there and how great it was that he never had to pay for anything, I guess because he had a job through the University he was studying at?

 

No, I don't think so. If you mean Germany, as far as I'm aware, it is a similar system to the UK - health care is paid for through taxation. If you become unemployed, it is still paid for through the tax system (by those working for the benefit of all) - it is not paid through insurance.

 

It is much more efficient than insurance systems at delivering health care, and you cannot have your entitlement removed at the behest of some self-interested insurance company. Yes, for some more routine (non-emergency) treatments, you might have to wait a little longer than in the US, but you will get the treatment. If it is an emergency/urgent, you will receive treatment sooner. And one thing that is never mentioned by those American politicians rubbishing the system over here, we typically see our doctor within a couple of days, or the same day if you tell them it is urgent. If you feel it is urgent in the US, you have no choice but to go to the hospital, or wait for a week or two before you can see your doctor. Honestly, there is a lot of rubbish written about our "socialised" medicine in the US. Everyone is treated here, for less money, irrespective of circumstances or income. It is not perfect, but no system is.

 

And one other thing that makes a huge difference - we do not have to worry about how we might be able to afford treatment and/or insurance. Such worry must be a huge burden to those who are already ill. Of course, in their self-interest, US insurance companies will do everything they can to scare off the US public from a public system.

 

I've received healthcare in England on several occasions and found the quality of care to be atrocious.  I am very much a proponent of major healthcare reform in the US, however, I do not consider the British model to be any better having experienced both. 

As I said, Ryan, we might have to wait a bit longer sometimes, but we cannot be denied treatment. Of course, there might be some fringe arguments, about particular expensive drugs, with unproven or marginal benefits not made available on the NHS, but if we need treatment, we receive treatment, and at no charge outside of the tax system. And, of course, in the US, the insurance companies often refuse medicines and treatment. I am not suggesting that any system is perfect, but I'd rather a doctor decide upon suitable treatment rather than an employee at an insurance company. And, I should say, waiting lists for treatment have been slash over the past 10 years.

 

Of course, with an expensive insurance plan, your experience would probably be a good one in the US. On the other hand, if you could not afford good insurance (or lost your insurance because you lost your job, etc), you should expect to have a very difficult time in the US. Over here, the general feeling is that our system is fairer and removes no end of potential worry. I am comparing the two systems in the broadest perspective. I am not saying the NHS is perfect - it isn't.

I live in the US, but previous to that my home was Scandinavia. Have to say that my doctor there, (the last one I had for 15 years) would not have dreamed of prescribing some of the things that are prescribed here (benzos being one big example in my case), and yet other 'drugs' were easily available - I could get codeine for a headache, for example. But a sleeping pill! I had to be going on a big trip for that, and it would be just one for going and one for coming back.

 

I paid for my doctor, and medication, etc., through taxation. I did not have to worry about going without food if I could not afford a prescription. When I had to spend some time in hospital, in the time afterwards, someone came to my flat to help me clean, fetch food, etc. Personally, if I could have that system again, I would grab it with both hands. I just wish that I had become a citizen. It is a country that is always near the top in surveys of the best places to live in the world. Sadly, my husband couldn't speak the language!!

 

Possibly, the fact that I now live in a community in the US  that is very isolated (yet has two hospitals within 15 miles of each other, almost fighting for patients), that I have generally felt a total lack of real concern by most of the care providers that I have come into contact with. (Two have been excellent and caring; one had to call me and apologise for their behaviour - twice; others have simply prescribed without discusssion of the consequences. Two up and left the area - can't blame them, but left their patients in the soup). Now I make sure that I get my records so that I know what is said by whom...and that they have it right. We have a health plan, which in my estimation costs a fortune, and still I feel that I may as well be in a ‘socialist’ country sometimes. Maybe it is better if you are in a large city in the States. But, this has been my experience.

 

Another experience that I had - having an autoimmune disease - the health care company would not pay for an MRI, even though the doctor recommended this. I was truly shocked. How can they make a decision that belongs to a doctor...a specialist for that matter.

 

Anyway, this is just my experience. And it is only where it comes to the medical situation.

 

Jemma

 

It was only quite recently that I was made aware that records regularly disappear with the doctor in the US. I understand that there are repositories for patient records when a doctor dies or leaves the country, but it appears that, for a variety of reasons, records regularly do not make it these repositories. Even when the records are saved, it is only a temporary reprieve, and then the records are destroyed. This is completely alien to us in the UK.

 

Jemma, I think you are wise to keep up to date copies of your records. If ever you have an issue with your treatment, or your doctor disappears, surely records of past problems and treatment are hugely important.

 

I know that a concern often expressed in America regards a doctor making decisions about treatment for patients - I cannot, for the life of me, understand why an insurance company making the decision is somehow better. A doctor is better placed to make the decision (they are the professional and in contact with patient), and they do not have a vested interest in denying suitable (sometimes expensive) treatment.

 

Ryan, I understand you take a different view - I'm just trying to explain what it is about the American healthcare system that frightens us (the majority of Europeans).

Ryan, I understand you take a different view - I'm just trying to explain what it is about the American healthcare system that frightens us (the majority of Europeans).

 

I don't necessarily take a different view.  The American healthcare system has nearly destroyed my life.  I am fortunate not to have issues with paying for care, but the "healthcare" I have generally received has been extremely harmful to me.  Americans love their pills and the doctors are more than obliged to dish them out like candy, pushed along by the hot blondes pedalling pharmaceuticals in every doctor's office.  And of course, the insurance companies are morally bankrupt in their own right and exert far too much influence on the lives of Americans (for example, they paid for my valium prescriptions but wouldn't shell out a dime to help get me off the stuff).  It's all disgusting.  On the other hand, when I have needed surgery or other critical care, I would not have wanted to be anywhere else.  

 

I am a traveler and have experienced firsthand the healthcare systems of many countries including the UK.  In every case, I have found the horror stories of long lines, dirty clinics, and under-qualified doctors to be true.  I have seen the supposedly "progressive" clinics in Cuba and they looked like something out of a horror movie.  I have waited with a friend for 20 hours in a Canadian hospital waiting to have a broken arm tended to.  And I saw a man bleed to death in an Irish hospital while nurses took smoke breaks.  Interestingly, when I was in college and could not afford healthcare, the free care that I received at home in our county hospitals and clinics (yes, we do have free care for low income people) was far better than any of this.  So when the world gets sanctimonious with us about how to fix our system, those of us who have actually experienced healthcare abroad tend to take a more cynical view.  

 

Like I said before, I have long been a proponent of healthcare reform in the US, I'm just not sure a model exists elsewhere that I would want to adopt.

The American Healthcare system is terrible IMO.

It is frightening, even to us American's.. most of us.

 

Keryn.

I think if we've lived long enough we've seen both sides of the American Health care system.  I've had good experiences and bad ones - very bad ones but when I look at my Mother, she would have been dead in her 50's instead of making it to 81.  She had 3 open heart surgeries in her life - 1978, 1985 and 1998 for valve replacement due to rheumatic heart disease.  She had among the finest doctors in the world at one of the best Hospitals in Boston.  I loved her cardiologist, among the best in the field - he was warm, caring, down to earth - always called me back when I had a question, always remembered details about my Mother's life, held her hand, looked in to her eyes.  This man managed her intricate medication needs and in the end it wasn't her heart that failed her but COPD and broken bones from a bad fall.

 

However, when my Mother retired the insurance premiums were huge - over $2000.00 a quarter to keep her precious "Blue Cross Blue Shield Gold" - that insurance was a passport to the entire world of health care.  However, it broke my parents financially as they ate through their hard earned working class savings and had to borrow against their paid in full house just to pay all of the bills.  My Father sometimes asked her to change her insurance to an HMO at $300.00 a quarter but I would freak when he brought it up.  What a catch 22.

 

Yes, something needs to be changed in the country but it always seems to come down to a quality of care issue which people fear will be sacrificed with health care reform.  Myself?  I'm at the mercy of state aid for the first time in my life - no more cozy doctors offices and a pretty barbaric mental health plan - that's another story for another day.

 

Well, this is my two cents.  It's a very interesting discussion.

 

Sara

A new law by health insurance agency in my country (Germany) has decided that not all doctors may prescribe Benzos. ONLY those trained for substance abuse may prescribe.

 

Here is an update on the above information I received (which was from my former psychiatrist). I called my health insurance to get the facts as I was getting different info from another doctor. Fact is my health insurance company said Benzos may be still prescribed, but no longer than two weeks. But doctors may still prescribe "private" prescriptions (i.e. ones which the health insurance do not pay for but comes out of own pocket) and the decision is entirely up to your doctor whether he will prescribe or not.

 

So much for the misinformation. And the reform.

 

Lizzie