WHICH COUNTRY HAS THE BEST PUBLIC HEALTHCARE COVERAGE OF LYMPHEDEMA - Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) - Pediatric and Primary Lymphedema - Secondary Lymphedema - Rare Diseases - Choosing a Lymphedema Expert Reference Centre

Regarding access to high-quality lymphoedema treatment and compression garments, there are few countries that stand out in Europe and at the international level. Germany outstands as one of the few European countries that give an excellent level of public healthcare coverage to all its lymphoedema patients. Read more about what is the best treatment for lymphoedema here.

The German healthcare system is a dual public-private system that dates back to the 1880s, making it the oldest in Europe. Today it is considered one of the very best healthcare systems in the world. Healthcare in Germany is funded by statutory contributions, ensuring free healthcare for all. The Federal Ministry of Health is responsible for developing health policy in Germany, and the sector is regulated by the Joint Federal Committee.

Germany is one of the biggest spenders on healthcare in Europe. It spends 11.1% of its annual GDP on healthcare expenditure. Only Switzerland and France spend more in terms of GDP percentage. German healthcare spending works out at just over €4,000 per inhabitant each year. Public and private insurance contributions cover the majority of costs.

In short, the routine treatment paid by the German Social Security for patients diagnosed with lymphoedema is “Gold Standard” CDT (Complete Decongestive Therapy). Patients have access to all year-round treatment, with a co-payment of only 5 € for specialized lymphoedema physiotherapy, and access to two compression garments per year, for only 5 € co-payment each.

Many national health systems worldwide don't cover the expense and funds needed for the optimal treatment of chronic lymphoedema. A great number of patients are recommended and prescribed only low-cost treatment options (self-treatment for edema reduction), and so many are under-treated or untreated, progressing their lymphatic dysfunction towards severe complications and Lymphoedema Stage III- Elephantiasis.

Patients should be especially careful when choosing a lymphedema Multidisciplinary Expert Centre of Reference/Excellence, as not all centers and counties offer or provide the same treatment options. The best choice is the Expert Reference Centre of Excellence which offers Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT), which is recognized as the "Gold Standard" treatment for Lymphedema. Read more about the components that form part of the Conservative Treatment in the German Scientific Protocol HERE. 

International campaigns are needed to inform health systems and workers about the optimal clinical management for lymphoedema, and so support patients' access to a better quality of life. 

REFERENCES

• GERMAN SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY GUIDELINE: Diagnostics and Therapy of Lymphoedema.
• THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF LYMPHOLOGY: Consensus Document.
• Lymphatic Medicine: Paradoxically and Unnecessarily Ignored
• Lymphatic Filariasis: An infection of childhood

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