Antihomotoxic therapy in private health insurance: reimbursement of complex remedies

Homotoxicology goes back to Hans-Heinrich Reckeweg and sees illness as the body's struggle with toxic substances, the homotoxins. Treatment uses complex remedies, meaning fixed combinations of several homeopathic components that are used according to the indication. Professional societies such as the IGAH bring this approach together. For patients, the practical difference from classical homeopathy is noticeable. There is no initial case history lasting hours, but products related to the indication.

For the plan, the theory changes little. Antihomotoxic therapy is treated like a naturopathic method, which most plans cover through the module for alternative medicine. With a doctor who has a matching focus, the treatment goes through the fee schedule for doctors. With an alternative practitioner, it goes through the module with its reimbursement rate and annual maximum amount, often €1,000 to €3,000 for all naturopathic treatments together.

The complex remedies are registered as homeopathic medicines and are commonly sold in pharmacies. Single products usually cost a two-digit amount. With a prescription, many plans reimburse them through the medicines part, provided medicines that do not require a prescription are also included. The treatment appointments themselves follow the usual pattern, meaning the fee schedule for doctors and the fee schedule for alternative practitioners.

For transparency, we point out that the effectiveness of homotoxicology is scientifically disputed. We do not assess this. The treatment decision lies with the patient and the practitioner. For the plan, the plain principle applies. What the contract covers is reimbursed. All amounts are guide values.

From our advice work we know that complex remedy therapies often run alongside other naturopathic treatments, and that is exactly when the shared annual budget becomes a bottleneck. For policyholders who use naturopathic treatment widely, we recommend that you look for separate budgets or a high shared maximum amount in the plan comparison.

If you only use the therapy now and then, the route through a doctor is the simplest, meaning prescription, pharmacy receipt and submission. This keeps the naturopathy budget free for the treatments that have to go through the module.

No. Classical homeopathy uses single remedies that are chosen individually after taking the case history. Complex remedies combine several components for a defined indication. Plans usually treat both groups the same way, as registered homeopathic medicines.

A doctor or an alternative practitioner, depending on the plan route. What matters is the practitioner's qualification and a correct bill under the relevant fee schedule. Treatment by therapists who are licensed neither as a doctor nor as an alternative practitioner is not reimbursable.

Submit the prescription and the pharmacy receipt together, and collect treatment bills per quarter. For longer therapy plans, a short written enquiry to the insurer in advance gives clarity on the rate and the budget.