All Co-Med doctor’s offices closed “until further notice”; Thousands now need a new GP
Co-Med’s family doctor practices are closed “until further notice.” Patients calling any of the commercial healthcare provider’s 13 branches hear a recording referring them to health insurer CZ’s website.
“Our practice is currently closed until further notice. Do you need a family physician? Then go to www.cz.nl for the details for a replacement care provider,” the recording says.
The CZ website states that it, along with VGZ, Menzis, and Zilveren Kruis, has suspended their agreements with Co-Med. “We have drawn the conclusion that Co-Med cannot guarantee the continuity of good care. That is why we offer an alternative solution for patients registered with a Co-Med general practice. We advise you to make use of this immediately.” The site lists alternative options.
On Tuesday, the four large health insurers declared the commercial chain in default, officially saying that the company is not adhering to agreements. There were concerns that the chain did not have enough doctors to provide good and continuous care, among other things. At the time, CZ told NOS that it wasn’t certain whether the health insurers would terminate the contract with Co-Med, but they now seem to have taken the step.
Co-Med has been under controversy for some time, with patients complaining that they couldn’t reach the company, no doctors were available to see them, and the care they received was inadequate. The Healthcare and Youtn Inspectorate has placed the organization under increased supervision due to these reports. It ordered the commercial GP chain to provide monthly reports about how it arranged care at all 13 locations. At the beginning of this month, Co-Med narrowly escaped bankruptcy.
Co-Med has branches in Amsterdam, The Hague, Eindhoven, Tilburg, Breda, Enschede, and Helmond. The chain had thousands of patients.
