Hundreds of psychiatrists refuse health insurance dealings

Hundreds of psychiatrists and psychotherapists are refusing to sign contracts with health insurance providers because of their alleged interference with practices and treatment, the Volkskrant reported.

Between 80 and 200 practitioners out of over 4,000 psychiatrists and psychotherapists are refusing to provide treatment under insurance schemes, treating only those patients who pay the bill upfront.

The treatment caps imposed by insurers either inhibit or altogether prevent practitioners from completing their care plans. Psychiatrists are not involved in constructing the rules that govern insurance provision, leading to schemes that do not reflect patient needs.

Some 500 psychotherapists have signed a petition against working under contract with insurance providers on website zorgvoorkwaliteit.nu. Most of them are self-employed.

"Some refuse to engage all insurers, others refuse some insurers", explained site representative Hieke Bos.