The Council of physiotherapists denounces “irremovable” rates of health insurers.

Madrid, February 2012.- the General Council of schools of physiotherapists (CGCGE) has denounced last Thursday the fixed ” rates of health insurance companiesthey are values below the cost of productionA study by the Council of physiotherapists, nationally, shows that treatment of low-cost sessions, are determined in a systematic manner, and not by processes, which deteriorates the quality of care of patients ”.

The study shows, moreover, the disparity in criteria and rates among the various autonomous communities in the treatments offered by health insurers, producing a discrimination and a hindrance to the proper care and professional development ”.

According to the Deputy of the Council and coordinator of the study, Maria Almanza, the same insurance company pay per session of physiotherapy, for example, in Aragon, 9.99 euros; in Galicia 5 euros; and in Extremadura, 4 euros. Has also emphasised that there are companies that pay 2 euros per session.

In this sense, has considered that the user must know these data, that every year are increased quotas and, however, to the professional, in a multitude of cases, diminish them, staying below the existing ten years ”.

Also reported that at the beginning of each year, and without notice ”, to physiotherapists lowering them their fees by sessions, under the justification of take or leave it or it is what ”.

Another aspect to be highlighted according to the Secretary-General of the Council, Manuel Alcantarilla, is the delay in paying their fees physiotherapists and even rejection of the payment of the same, causing many professionals to close their centers. is clear that with what some health insurance companies pay to the physiotherapist does not cover minimum material, premises, staff, or infrastructure costs ”.

For its part, the President of the CGCFE, José Antonio Martín, has indicated that the quality of care should be the main objective and that must take precedence over the interests of the insurance companies, that occasionally physiotherapists are forced to perform treatments to insured persons, without the time, techniques and procedures ”.

In this way, has stressed that user attends the secondary physical therapist, according to a Protocol, in 95% of cases, with a number of pre-established sessions, without taking into account the possible favourable or unfavourable evolution of pathology ”.

Therefore, the General Council propose to insurance companies a new relationship framework, giving priority treatment for closed process, the individuality of the same and above all discrimination of techniques used in the treatment, based on its effectiveness, so that not all are included in the coverage in General.

CGCFE

The General Council of physiotherapists schools of Spain (CGCFE) is the body representing more than 40,000 physiotherapists, Spain, working with the common goal of promoting the health of citizens. In addition, orders the profession, guardianship the interests of physiotherapy, as well as its optimal implementation and universalization.

Physiotherapists are health professionals, as provided for in the existing legislation, accredited with the University degree in physiotherapy, taught in 43 universities and possessors of knowledge and skills to benefit the health of the population. in addition, there is a greater number of doctorates and mastersthat ensure their high qualifications