Positive Health Online

Abstract

BUSATO and others, Institute for Evaluative Research in Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Bern, Stauffacherstrasse 78, CH-3014 Bern, Switzerland, have analyzed the expenditure to health insurances by CAM therapies.

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent and structure of basic health insurance expenditures for complementary and alternative medicine in Swiss primary care.

Methodology

The study was designed as a cross-sectional evaluation of Swiss primary care providers and included 262 certified CAM physicians, 151 noncertified CAM physicians and 172 conventional physicians. The study was based on data from a mailed questionnaire and on reimbursement information obtained from health insurers. Main outcome measures included average reimbursed costs per patient, structured into consultation- and medication-related costs, and referred costs.

Results

Total average reimbursed cost per patient did not differ between CAM physicians and conventional practitioners, but considerable differences were observed in cost structure. The proportions of reimbursed costs for consultation time were 56% for certified CAM, 41% for noncertified CAM physicians and 40% for conventional physicians; medication costs—including expenditures for prescriptions and directly dispensed drugs—respectively accounted for 35%, 18%, and 51% of costs.

Conclusion

The results indicate no significant difference for overall treatment cost per patient between CAM and conventional primary care in Switzerland. Differences in cost structure reflect more patient-centred and individualized treatment modalities of CAM physicians.

References

Busato A, Eichenberger R, Kunzi B. Extent and structure of health insurance expenditures for  complementary and alternative medicine in Swiss primary care. BMC Health Services Research 6 : 132, 2006.