Home » Health » Heart patient Theo has to go to Antwerp to recover: “Isn’t it insane?”

Heart patient Theo has to go to Antwerp to recover: “Isn’t it insane?”

Theo Barkel (privéfoto).

51-year-old Theo Barkel from Rijen is a heart patient and was operated on during the corona period. For his rehabilitation treatments, he is referred to Antwerp, where code orange now applies because of the virus and where it is better not to be a risk group. While you can literally be treated around the corner in your hometown. Theo found the health care system in the Netherlands already crooked, but now completely.

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Maaike Cnossen & Malini WItlox

Theo had surgery three weeks ago at the University Hospital Antwerp (UZA). His cardiologist urged him to rest for another week and then immediately start rehabilitation.

At home, Theo and his wife had contact with his health insurer CZ. “I had to report to Revant in Breda. But that rehabilitation center was closed for a long time due to corona. They told me it could easily take a few weeks or even months for me to get help. ”

“I have that practice at the end of the street!”

Theo and his wife found out that cardiac rehabilitation is also offered at a physiotherapy practice near him. He called the therapist and heard that he could go immediately. But they informed the insurer CZ that he should go back to the UZA. If he goes there, both treatments and travel costs will be reimbursed. “So while there is a cheaper and easier solution around the corner. Really, that practice is at the end of the street with me! ”

He was told that a physiotherapy practice is not reimbursed from the basic package. At least not with chronic heart problems. “While that is the case with other chronic diseases, such as COPD.”

“We are really ruining our entire healthcare system.”

Theo cannot reach it with his mind. “I don’t think it’s right. We are really ruining our entire health care system, ”he says. “I understand that there must be rules, but I increasingly get the idea that money is more important than patients,” he says. “I can’t drive yet, so I should be brought to Antwerp three times a week. My wife also just works, even in healthcare. So that’s just not doable. And it is there now also code orange. I have to be very careful with corona in the risk group. ”

In the meantime he has only chosen eggs for his money. “I started around the corner from the practice. Then I’ll pay for it myself. But isn’t it crazy for words? ” Health insurer CZ has promised him to see if an exception can be made, says Theo, but he did not hear about that a few working days later.

“The waiting time can be up to several months, depending on the form of rehabilitation required.”

Omroep Brabant asked Revant and CZ for a response. The rehabilitation center says that it is doing everything to eliminate the waiting times. “But we have been closed for a month and fewer people can now enter because of the rules of the RIVM. We try to help people through video bubbles. But the waiting time can be up to several months, depending on the form of rehabilitation that is required. “

A CZ spokesperson said that it is not the case that patients who have had surgery in Antwerp can only recover there. “If people now prefer not to go to Antwerp because of the corona rules, they can contact our healthcare mediation department.

They will then examine whether an alternative is possible in the Netherlands. “That is a medical consideration. It depends on the operation in question. Is there a rehabilitation center in the Netherlands where you can get the right treatment that suits the operation?” Says the insurer. Theo Barkel says that he has never been referred to healthcare mediation by the customer service department. ”

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