On 21 April this year, the police contact the government agency Helfo. They are responsible for paying over NOK 42 billion each year to healthcare personnel and citizens. The police notify that they have information which may indicate that psychiatrist Finn Skårderud has received unlawful reimbursements. Control of payments to Skårderud has now started, Helfo confirms to news. – In a follow-up check, we ask for documentation for a limited period, says section manager in Helfo control, Cecilie Eriksen Brodal. news has gained access to parts of the former psychiatrist’s payments from Helfo. From 2018 to 2022, Skårderud asked for – and was paid – NOK 6.12 million. Helfo will not comment on the period for which they are requesting documentation, or whether they have had further contact with the police. Skårderud has been informed that control has been established. – This is the first step in an ordinary control process, says section manager in Helfo control, Cecilie Eriksen Brodal. Finn Skårderud has lost his authorization as a doctor and psychiatrist, but has appealed the decision. Photo: Aftenposten On 1 December, the Norwegian Health Authority took Skårderud’s authorization to work as a doctor and psychiatrist. – The deficiencies in your health care related to issues such as assessment, treatment planning, follow-up, record-keeping and role understanding are extensive, recurring and serious, they write in their decision. Skårderud’s lawyer Halvard Helle announced on the same day that the decision will be appealed to the Norwegian Health Personnel Board. Request to clean up If Helfo finds that money has been paid out unlawfully, Skårderud can demand repayment. – He contacted Helfo several months ago to clear up any wrongful payments, writes lawyer Halvard Helle in an e-mail to news. He will not answer whether Skårderud got in touch before or after the VG case, which informs Victoria Nordberg that there are several cases pending which should not have taken place. Helfo reimbursements The Norwegian health reimbursement system is built on trust. This means that Helfo’s starting point is that healthcare personnel send correct requirements, they write on their website. It is a prerequisite that the date and time of the treatment must be stated in the reimbursement claim, explains Helfo. When submitting a refund claim, automatic checks are carried out to avoid incorrect payments. In the event of suspicion of unlawful payments, Helfo can start a so-called follow-up check “on the basis of the risk of error”. After the inspection, healthcare personnel may be ordered to change their practice for reimbursements, or may be required to pay back money paid from the state. In serious circumstances and breach of trust, one can lose the right to “practice at the expense of the social security” for up to five years. In serious cases where Helfo suspects financial crime, the health personnel can be reported to the police. Helle also does not want to go into more detail about what, if any, must be paid back. – It must be settled preferably between the psychiatrist and Helfo, not via the public broadcaster, concludes the lawyer. Found errors in own records Victoria Nordberg was Skårderud’s patient for over 20 years. In VG, she has shown 13 instances of hours Skårderud has requested reimbursement for, but which should not have taken place. Victoria Nordberg has documented what she believes to be unjustified reimbursements to Skårderud for hours that have not taken place. Photo: Cicilie S. Andersen / news One of these is from 2 June 2014. The hour was paid for by the public – but Nordberg was then on holiday on the Greek holiday island of Kalymnos. news has seen documentation on a plane ticket which shows that Nordberg did not return home until 4 June, two days after the appointment recorded in Finn Skårderud’s office. In the event that the patient cancels an appointment or the therapist himself has fallen ill, no refund claim shall be sent to Helfo. The reimbursement scheme only applies to the hours that have actually taken place. This picture was taken on 30 May 2014, when Nordberg was on holiday in Greece. Photo: Private – I think it is reassuring and good that several things are now being checked and properly followed up in this case, says Nordberg. She believes her documentation shows that Skårderud has received unlawful payments. Helfo wrote to news that it is not relevant to any repayment until all circumstances in the case have been assessed and dealt with. In February, Nordberg reported the psychiatrist to the police for forgery by falsifying medical records. The Norwegian Health Authority has since concluded that there was a breach of the rules for record keeping. In Victoria Nordberg’s journal, he changed over 100 notes after supervision was opened. Paid by the public Skårderud has since 2007 had a contract as an agreement specialist with the regional health enterprise which is now called Helse Sør-East. This means that he has been able to treat patients who have been referred by a GP. As contract specialist, Skårderud has been paid by the public authorities to provide treatment for parts of his patient group. In May 2023, four months after the State Administrator announced that they were opening supervision against him, Skårderud terminated the agreement. In the spring, Skårderud terminated the contract on contractual practice with Helse Sør-Øst. Photo: Screen dump – During the contract period, I want to work full-time with patients and gradually phase them out, Skårderud wrote to the health authority. The notice period expired on 30 November. The fact that he was still able to treat patients during the supervision case was called “a mockery” by assistant lawyer Mette Yvonne Larsen. Lawyer Halvard Helle then said that the Norwegian Health Authority was informed about the psychiatrist’s work situation.
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Helfo investigates payments to former psychiatrist Finn Skårderud – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
