Provision and financing of assistive technology devices in Germany: a bureaucratic odyssey? The case of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Health Policy
Cornelia Henschke

Abstract

The regulations for financing assistive technology devices (ATDs) are complex and fragmented and, thus, might influence adequate provision of these devices to people who need multiple ATDs. This study aims to explore and analyze patients' problems with the provision and financing of ATDs for the following two rare diseases: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). A survey was conducted by means of semi-standardized questionnaires addressing the issues of coverage decisions for ATDs and problems with provision of ATDs. Information was retrieved from ALS (n=19) and DMD (n=14) patients. Conducted interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Respondents experienced difficulties with the provision and financing of ATDs. They underlined problems such as long approval processes and a serious bureaucratic burden, which induced inadequate provision of ATDs. Experiences of ALS and DMD respondents frequently were similar, especially regarding financing decisions and the process of decision making by sickness funds. The results suggest that difficulties in receiving and financing ATDs are common problems among ALS and DMD patients. There is a need for an interdisci...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jul 10, 2014·Disability and Rehabilitation. Assistive Technology·Adriana RiosPedro Sebastián Caycedo Villarraga
Jun 6, 2014·Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis & Frontotemporal Degeneration·Huub CreemersLeonard H van den Berg
Jul 11, 2014·Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis & Frontotemporal Degeneration·Susanne AbdullaSusanne Petri
Apr 4, 2012·Health Policy·Carsten SchultzReinhard Busse
May 8, 2014·Assistive Technology : the Official Journal of RESNA·Soo-Young Chae, Song-Jae Jo
Nov 21, 2014·Chest·David F Yankelevitz
Aug 12, 2017·Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis & Frontotemporal Degeneration·Geraldine Foley, Geralyn Hynes
Feb 1, 2018·Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis & Frontotemporal Degeneration·Andreas FunkeThomas Meyer
Apr 16, 2020·Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis & Frontotemporal Degeneration·Krzysztof BarćDorothée Lulé
Apr 4, 2021·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Jun SuzurikawaTomoko Kondo

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