Tooth negotiations in chaos: Dispute over Amalgamer set is heading!

Tooth negotiations in chaos: Dispute over Amalgamer set is heading!

In a dramatic turning point in dentistry, the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK) is again responsible for the action around the controversial amalgam ban. Since the beginning of the year, dentists in Austria have no longer been able to use this traditional filling material, which focuses on negotiations on an adequate replacement. A negotiating interview between the ÖGK and the Austrian Dental Association (ÖZäk) should take place this morning, but far -reaching disagreements led to a sudden cancellation by the Dental Association. According to Today.

The current situation leaves patients in the uncertain. While the ÖGK wanted to advance the use of alkasit as a filling material and was ready to cover 20 percent more than previously for amalgam -free fillings, the dental association only accepts the cheaper glass ionomer cement as a cash output. This means that all other materials are considered private services that patients have to carry themselves. "We only wanted to meet the needs of the patients," said a representative of the Zäk, but the ÖGK speaks of refusal to negotiate and has already offered individual contracts without the chamber, which was not very popular, as kleinezeitung.at reported.

collaboration fails

After successful negotiations with the insurance company publicly employed, railways and mining (BVAEB), where an agreement on the tooth filling materials was reached, the ÖGK hoped for a similar solution in the wider dental profession. The valid regulation stipulates that glass ionomer cement and alkasite are considered a cash benefit, which the Zäk rejects as unjustified. If no quick agreement is reached, patients must continue to expect uncertainties regarding the costs and availability of health insurance benefits.