A few months ago, the High Authority for Health (HAS) pointed the finger unsatisfactory care mild depression in France. According to the HAS, antidepressants are too often prescribed during a depressive episode, whereas supportive psychotherapy should be recommended as first-line treatment. The only problem: although their effectiveness is equal to that of antidepressants, sessions with a liberal psychologist are not reimbursed. Only consultations with from a psychiatrist or in a medico-psychological center (CMP) are taken care of, which puts off a large number of patients who prefer to rely on medication.
20 psychotherapy sessions reimbursed
This is why a reimbursement test for sessions with the psychologist will be launched in the coming months by 4 primary health insurance funds. Policyholders of the CPAMs of Haute-Garonne, Morbihan, Bouches-du-Rhône and Landes suffering from mild to moderate depression are eligible for this experiment, which will extend over a period of 3 years (from 2018 to 2020).
According The Midi Dispatchwhich questioned the CPAM of Haute-Garonne, the patient referred to the psychologist by a general practitioner will be able to follow 10 psychotherapy sessions 30 minute support. This prescription can be supplemented by 10 structured psychotherapy sessions of 45 minutes if necessary. In total, a maximum of 20 sessions with the psychologist will be covered by the primary fund.
Currently, the CPAMs present this system to the general practitioners, psychiatrists and psychologists concerned. Ask your general practitioner for the start date of the experiment in your department.
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