The German Association of Psychotherapists (DPtV) has issued a warning regarding the planned healthcare reform by the Federal Government, stating that it could lead to a decline in the quality of care for individuals suffering from mental illnesses. According to Enno Maaß, the DPtV’s federal chairman, if the legislation passes in its current form, waiting times in certain regions could increase by as much as 20 to 30 percent. Patients in rural areas, in particular, are already facing months-long waits for a therapy appointment, and in some cases, waiting times exceed a year.
Maaß explained that the Federal Government intends to restrict expenditures related to outpatient psychotherapy. The reform plans dictate that psychotherapeutic services will be subject to tighter budget constraints. Consequently, therapists fear receiving reduced payment for additional treatments and a decrease in the capacity of private practices.
He added that this financial pressure will manifest as longer wait times. While the capacity planning mechanisms can adjust based on identified demand, if the actual requirement exceeds the planning estimates, patients will still be left waiting for multiple months just to secure a therapy spot.
