NDR research: Many ophthalmologists demand unlawful surcharges for cataract operations
According to research by NDR, cataract operations lead to dubious additional claims on a large scale. Many patients are expected to pay hundreds of euros for aspherical monofocal lenses themselves, even though the statutory health insurance companies cover the costs of these standard lenses in full.
Aspherical lenses are now the medical standard worldwide and are significantly better than the older spherical variants. Nevertheless, numerous ophthalmologists and surgical centers claim to patients that only spherical lenses are covered by health insurance. In truth, the purchase prices for good aspherical lenses at the centers are often less than 80 euros per piece. The co-payment is often justified by allegedly necessary additional expenses, which, according to several chief physicians of public clinics and university hospitals, are not necessary.
Public hospitals usually use aspherical lenses at no additional cost to patients. Nevertheless, according to NDR, the majority of surgical centers market these standard lenses as “premium lenses” and charge surcharges of several hundred euros per eye.
In the case of cataract surgery, patients can generally choose between standard care without co-payment and more expensive special lenses. However, the NDR research shows that many of those affected are not sufficiently informed about their rights.
The Federal Association of Ophthalmologists does not see a systemic problem and points out that individual additional services must be borne by the patient.
Every year, about one million cataract procedures are performed in Germany. It is unclear how many patients are unlawfully asked to pay. However, the NDR research indicates that it is a widespread phenomenon.
Further reports on this can be seen on NDR.de and tagesschau.de as well as on May 7 in the program “Panorama” on ARD.
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Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR
Gender Notice. The personal designations used in this text always refer equally to female, male and diverse persons. Double/triple naming and gendered designations are used for better readability ected.
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