From January 1, 2022 also for neurodermatitis patients: contract for special care for psoriasis will be expanded
13.12.2021 12:52
The Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) and the Professional Association of German Dermatologists (BVDD) have expanded their nationwide contract in accordance with Section 140a SGB V, which has been in force since April 2019, to include the indication neurodermatitis for the special care of psoriasis patients. In addition, the bureaucratic burden for participating dermatologists is reduced. The extended contract called “DermaOne” is valid from January 1, 2022.
DermaOne is intended to improve the guideline-based care of people diagnosed with moderate to severe psoriasis (psoriasis) and/or moderate to severe neurodermatitis through targeted measures. The nationwide contract is designed for patients who receive appropriate treatment with so-called biologics, PDE-4 inhibitors, JAK inhibitors or fumarates.
In addition to the TK, which conducted the negotiations with the BVDD, ten other health insurance companies (Barmer, DAK, HEK, hkk, IKK classic, KKH, Novitas BKK, pronova BKK, R+V BKK and Viactiv) were already part of the previous psoriasis contract joined. They are now also taking over the DermaOne contract. In total, the offer reaches almost 33 million people and thus around 45 % of those with statutory health insurance. Other health insurance companies could join the contract.
On the medical side, DermaOne is open to licensed, employed or authorized dermatologists who are BVDD members and have extensive experience in the treatment of psoriasis and/or neurodermatitis with immunomodulating drugs such as fumarates, biologics, JAK inhibitors or PDE-4- inhibitors and receive regular training on the two clinical pictures. The participating dermatologists should receive flat rates outside of the budgeted remuneration for the complex care of people with psoriasis and/or neurodermatitis with the drugs mentioned, as well as additional cost-effectiveness bonuses when prescribing discounted drugs.
The traffic light system for medicines, which has already been proven in the psoriasis contract and has now been supplemented by JAK inhibitors and fumarates, will be retained. It is updated regularly and informs doctors about the therapeutic benefits and cost-effectiveness of the drugs used. A reduction in documentation requirements makes the contract even more attractive on the medical side.
BVDD President Dr. Ralph von Kiedrowski, who led the negotiations on behalf of the professional association: “We are very pleased about the expansion and bureaucratic simplification of the new DermaOne contract, which now also enables our neurodermatitis patients to be treated in accordance with the latest medical findings. The contract creates the basis for significantly better care for the two most important chronic inflammatory skin diseases. DermaOne is more attractive for colleagues than the previous contract, particularly because it is easier to use in everyday practice.”
“The level of suffering is often very high in patients affected by neurodermatitis and psoriasis,” says Tim Steimle, head of the medicines department at TK. “That’s why it’s even more important that they receive the therapy that’s right for them. There are more and more new, innovative medicines for these clinical pictures. The DermaOne contract supports the economical use of these drugs so that all patients can benefit permanently from innovative drug therapies.”