Health - Physiotherapists complain about excessive bureaucracy
Physiotherapists in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia complain about excessive bureaucracy and pressure from health insurance companies. "It starts with the verification of the prescription. The therapist has to check if the prescription issued by the doctor is correct," said Janine Gasch, manager of the VDB Physiotherapy Association's Eastern Germany branch. Changes are often difficult to obtain, as not all doctors are willing or, in the case of clinic doctors, even reachable to make adjustments. "Not everything runs smoothly. Health insurance companies often set something aside, even though the fault for delays is not ours."
Gasch added that documentation of treatment and the doctor's report involve a lot of bureaucracy. The doctor's report is often requested but not sufficiently compensated. The mood in the industry is very diverse. Above all, older colleagues have difficulties with changes through new framework contracts and digitalization. The personnel shortage and the behavior of some health insurance companies also make things difficult. The training is difficult, student numbers are declining, and many are dropping out. "Despite the fact that the profession is interesting and important, the remuneration is at minimum wage level. In addition, it is a physically demanding profession. That keeps many away."
- Despite facing challenges in Saxony-Anhalt and neighboring regions like Thuringia and Saxony, physiotherapists in Chemnitz, specifically, also grapple with excessive bureaucracy and insurance company pressures.
- The impact of bureaucracy extends beyond prescription verification; in Chemnitz and other areas, physiotherapists also struggle with cumbersome documentation requirements and insufficient compensation for doctor's reports.
- The bureaucratic challenges in Chemnitz and other regions contribute to an unfavorable work environment, as health insurance companies often hinder progress and even set limitations, despite the profession's vital role in maintaining health and wellness in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia.
