Capsules and tablets of potassium citrate, zinc sulfate, magnesium gluconate and magnesium lactate will be reimbursed in 2023 under the conditions that applied until 31 December 2022. This group of mineral medicines was initially no longer reimbursed as of 1 January 2023. For chronic patients, these minerals are medically necessary resources. ZonMw reports this.
In addition to the capsules and tablets mentioned above, the drinks potassium citrate (0.33 mmol/ml and 0.57 mmol/ml), zinc sulphate (10 mg/ml) and magnesium gluconate (45 mg/ml) were originally only reimbursed for children under seven years. These minerals are medically necessary resources for kidney patients, patients with a certain intestinal disease or metabolic disease, and they are now reimbursed, according to Health Insurers Netherlands (ZN).
Compensation
The reimbursement applies for potassium citrate 500 mg capsules, zinc sulphate 200 mg capsules, magnesium gluconate 500 mg tablets, magnesium citrate 376 mg capsules and magnesium lactate 350 mg tablets according to the conditions as they applied until 31 December 2022. These changes also have consequences for the reimbursements for pharmacy preparations supplied.
The reimbursement conditions are as follows:
- For magnesium gluconate and magnesium lactate, the first prescription comes from an internist / gastroenterologist or (paediatric) nephrologist and the patient is known to have renal hypomagnesaemia or hypomagnesaemia as a result of chemotherapy or short bowel syndrome.
- For potassium citrate, the patient is known to have renal calculi or renal tubular acidosis.
- For magnesium citrate, the first prescription comes from an internist / gastroenterologist or (paediatric) nephrologist.
- In addition to the above conditions, potassium citrate and magnesium gluconate drinks are only reimbursed for patients with swallowing problems and children under the age of 12.
- For zinc sulphate capsules, the patient is known to have Danbolt’s syndrome or Wilson’s disease.
- Zinc sulphate drink is only reimbursed for children younger than 7 years.
Patients who have paid for these resources themselves from 1 January 2023 can still submit their claim to their health insurance. The year 2023 is seen as a transition year. Health insurers in the Netherlands intend to have the reimbursement of mineral medicines run through the hospital budget from 1 January 2024.
By: National Care Guide
