From May, patient transport will only be paid by the ÖGK if there is a corresponding medical transport order regarding the patient's inability to walk. The medical transport order must be issued exclusively based on medical aspects and must be extensively medically justified or proven. Cost coverage is explicitly not possible because public transport is lacking or because of a companion with whom independent transport would generally be possible.
An approved transport remains possible for patients with immunodeficiency due to tumor treatment and for isolation-required infectious diseases. For indispensable dental prostheses, the insured's co-payment—for example for crowns and plastic prostheses—increases from 25 to 30 percent from May 1. For persons exempt from prescription fees for social reasons, the co-payment is 20 percent.
Cost coverage for periodontitis therapies is also being restricted, though the specific restrictions have not been detailed. Since the beginning of March, due to the statute amendment, the criteria for cost coverage of jaw adjustments have been tightened, with two diagnoses removed from the service catalog, but which diagnoses were removed is unknown. The amendment to the ÖGK statute was decided by the general assembly on February 19, as initially reported by the Kronen Zeitung.
From March 1, the family supplement for sick pay from the 43rd day was also abolished. Previously, single parents and insured persons with children whose partner had no income received a supplement of ten percent. For extended sick pay receipt, another mandatory assessment between the 63rd and 67th week is being introduced.
The fact that patients have not been informed about the changes so far caused criticism on Friday. The ÖVP-affiliated Seniors' Association chief Ingrid Korosec criticized the lack of information in a release. Birgit Gerstorfer, president of the SPÖ-affiliated Pensioners' Association, demanded more participation rights for 'fair solutions' in a release.
The Greens criticized that the insured were not properly informed about the changes. ' Ralph Schallmeiner demanded the use of the health reform fund created by the government to prevent such cuts. ' The response from SPÖ minister Korinna Schumann to the criticisms has not been disclosed.