From January 1, 2025, instead of the then-prohibited amalgam, the filling materials glass ionomer cements and alkasites will be covered by insurance. The ÖGK now demanded the rapid resumption of negotiations.

The negotiations were "long and intensive," according to a statement from the Dental Association on Friday. The level of tariffs is now based on the previous amalgam replacement tariff for pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children up to 15 years old. Composite in the molar area remains a private service, it was said. During the coming year, there should also be discussions between the BVAEB and the Dental Association (ÖZÄK) about revising and modernising the existing fee schedule - with particular attention to root treatment, oral hygiene, consultation and denture repairs.

Dental Association: Possible "Blueprint" for Other Funds

In its statement, the Dental Association appeals to the ÖGK and the Social Insurance for the Self-Employed (SVS): The agreement could also be "a blueprint for the other health insurance carriers". For the regular fillings in the molar area, according to the chamber, only stone cement is part of the contract for their insured, glass ionomer cement is only a health insurance service for pregnant women, nursing mothers and children up to 15 years old. All other materials are private services. The ÖZÄK is "always ready" for talks.

The ÖGK has not yet reached an agreement with the ÖZÄK. The fund would have been willing to pay 20 percent more than before for amalgam-free fillings, promoting the relatively new, white material alkasite tested in health insurance clinics. The Dental Association, on the other hand, only wanted to accept the technically inferior glass ionomer cement as free for patients, everything else should be a private service from the point of view of the professional representation. ÖGK chairman Andreas Huss was annoyed in early December and announced that he would offer individual contracts to dentists bypassing the chamber.

ÖGK Sees a Positive Signal

The Dental Association has given up its "medically incomprehensible blockade attitude towards alkasite as a high-quality amalgam replacement" in the agreement with the BVAEB, according to the ÖGK, which saw a positive signal in a statement. The professional representation should resume talks with the social insurance. Currently, there are amalgam-free dental fillings at the expense of the health insurance in the 61 health insurance-owned dental health centres. In addition, agreements on a tariff have been reached with private dental clinics. From January 1, insured persons in nine clinics in Vienna will also receive fillings at the expense of the health insurance.

(APA/Red)

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