– I would have dropped out of the treatment if it had cost money. That’s what Monika Mikalsen, a former drug addict, says. – I have the minimum rate of disability pension, and I had not been able to pay the bill. Then I should probably have prioritized food, electricity and rent instead. Monika Mikalsen got a whole new life after the treatment she received free of charge at LAR. – With the new requirement for self-payment, more people will drop out, she believes. Photo: Cathrine Oftedahl / news news has previously told about Monika Mikalsen, who feels like a new person after receiving treatment at LAR. Ever since its inception over 20 years ago, treatment at LAR has been free. But during the last few years, health organizations in this country have introduced deductibles for these patients. This is LAR Drug-assisted rehabilitation, also called LAR, is a nationwide treatment program for people who are addicted to opioids, most often heroin. The aim of the treatment is to increase the quality of life of the users and reduce the number of overdoses. The patients undergoing rehabilitation receive morphine-like drugs, either methadone or buprenorphine. Through LAR, the patients will also receive financial guidance and help to find a place to live. There are 8,198 patients in LAR as of 2021. Source: FHI/SERAF/Helse Stavanger In Helse Stavanger, the price is NOK 375 per hour. It applies to guidance and therapy classes, while medicine is exempt. With the new deductible, the treatment Mikalsen received would have cost her NOK 600 a week. She knows several people who do not show up for their treatment now. – They can’t afford it. The choice is between bread or treatment. Has been free until now Those Mikalsen knows are not the only ones who don’t show up. This applies to LAR patients throughout the country, according to Prolar Nett, a user organization for LAR patients. Although the price and what they pay for may vary from place to place. – Some companies have also reserved themselves from introducing the deductible, says head of Prolar-nett, Ronny Bjørnestad. – We have been fighting this for years, but we had no choice. We have considered the possibilities for exemption greater than what we have had occasion to do. This is according to Randi Mobæk, head of department for substance abuse and addiction treatment at Helse Stavanger. She confirms that patients are absent from classes. Head of department for substance abuse and addiction treatment at Helse Stavanger, Randi Mobæk, is concerned. Photo: Cathrine Oftedahl / news – More people opt out of the treatment we know they need. These are vulnerable people, and the consequence is that they become very ill. Greater risk of relapse The patients struggle with both physical and mental illness, in addition to addiction problems. – Now they don’t get the health check, the right medicines or the therapy they should have, and thus they have a greater risk of relapse. She believes that the possibility of getting out of drug addiction and building up to better coping with life is being put on hold. And she gets support from Prolar Nett. Head of department Kenneth Egeland thinks the introduction of the deductible is hair-raising. Kennet Egeland, head of department Prolar Nett. Photo: Cathrine Oftedahl / news – This is a poorly groomed group of people who have already fallen between many chairs. They have little from before, and now they are losing the bit that keeps them from falling out once more. He is certain that many will prioritize the treatment away. – And this applies to those who are most in need of health care, he points out. Many also have debt up to their ears. – It just builds up. Kenneth Egeland, head of department at Prolar Nett in conversation with general manager Bente Sikveland at LAR Helse Stavanger. They are both worried about the LAR patients who now have to shell out money to get the healthcare they need. Photo: Cathrine Oftedahl / news – The government must take responsibility – This is a vulnerable group that must be shielded from paying a deductible for treatment, says head of the General Practitioners’ Association, Nils Kristian Klev. Nils Kristian Klev, head of the Association of General Practitioners. Photo: Thomas B Eckhoff / The Norwegian Medical Association He believes that solutions must be established that exempt from deductibles so that patients can continue treatment to become drug-free. Some municipalities currently offer a municipal tax exemption card that gives people on a low income an exemption from the deductible, but this does not apply to all. We therefore need national solutions. – The socio-economic consequences will be greater than the loss of deductibles if the patients do not continue the treatment, Klev believes. Will look at the regulations Previously, the Minister of Health and Care has stated that psychiatry and substance abuse must be shielded from cuts. State Secretary Karl Kristian Bekeng in the Ministry of Health and Care. Photo: Esten Borgos / BORGOS FOTO AS – The government’s aim is that people with extensive problems with substance abuse should receive the treatment and follow-up they need in the public health service, says State Secretary Karl Kristian Bekeng in the Ministry of Health and Care. If it is the case that patients drop out of treatment due to self-payment, and that the regulations prevent them from being able to waive the deductible in some cases, they must look at the regulations, he says. Hope more people can get it done Monika Mikalsen spent much of the therapy on a trip with the therapist Lena Endresen. Photo: Hanne Høyland / news Mikalsen herself is very happy that she was able to complete the treatment before payment was introduced. Without it, she would probably have relapsed into drug addiction, she believes. – Before, I was afraid of people, and didn’t dare to go out. Now I have a content-rich life with a permanent job and other activities.
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Drops out – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
