- We are forced to reduce access to services funded by the National Health Fund. Our accessibility is being reduced by one-third," reports the Association of Parents of Disabled Children Dwarf, which operates an Autism Clinic, Rehabilitation Center and Therapeutic Kindergarten, in a social media post.
The number of counseling sessions for people on the autism spectrum will drop, clinics warn. This is a result of the order of the president of the National Health Fund
Published Jan. 3, 2024 12:19
As indicated by the clinics, this is a result of the entry into force of the order of the President of the National Health Fund on defining the conditions for entering into and carrying out contracts for the provision of health care services in the type of psychiatric care and addiction treatment. There are also provisions relating to services provided in autism clinics. In the catalog of the scope of services, we find information from which it follows that after each class with the client, 25 minutes must be reserved for completing documentation
"The need to reserve 25 minutes for documentation after each class causes our availability to decrease by a third," reports the Dwarf Association.
"A specialist who previously could see 7 patients in a day will now see 4. This will increase waiting queues and increase the waiting time for consultations. Another unfavorable provision is the lack of payment for all participants in group classes. Payment will only be for one participant in the group, the others will not be paid by the National Health Service. It should be noted that for some patients, especially adolescents and adults, whom we also receive at the Clinic, group classes are one of the best therapies and acquisition of social skills," the association stressed.
In a similar vein, Synapsis, a foundation for children and adults with autism, reports on the case.
"Due to the Order of the President of the National Health Fund, all Clinics for Persons with Childhood Autism in Poland carrying out the contract with the National Health Fund have been forced to reduce access to therapy and consultation for children, adolescents and adults on the autism spectrum by as much as one-third from 01.01.2024. This means both a reduction in the hours of real therapy and a significant increase in the waiting time in the queue to start it for those who are already waiting for years. The reduction in access to services also affects our Center," reads the Synapsis Foundation website.
Outpatient clinics say that in the fight to change enrollment, they can be supported by filling out a letter they have prepared, available at the facilities and on their website. The letter can be left at the facilities or sent to the NFZ on its own.
