The economic importance of individual health services (IGeL) in ophthalmology over time: survey results from 2010 and 2020

Abstract

Individual health services (IGeL) enable patients to receive medical services not covered by social health care; however, there is no central data collection on IGeL in Germany. This study illustrates the spectrum of IGeL provided in the field of ophthalmology as an example of the importance of IGeL in Germany based on survey results. Nationwide, 10% of ophthalmologists in private practice were randomly selected in this anonymous survey in 2010 and 2020 while in 2020 in addition to the randomized 10% of ophthalmologists the same ophthalmologists from 2010 were contacted. By means of awritten questionnaire, ophthalmologists were asked about their practice structure, total revenue from IGeL as well as the frequency and price of specific IGeL. Income from IGeL was estimated at an average of 21% of the regular service volume in 2010 and 23% in 2020. Glaucoma IGeL and medical report IGeL were offered by almost all ophthalmologists and glaucoma screening being performed most frequently with an average frequency of over 150 examinations/month. IGeL, such as HRT IGeL were offered by significantly fewer ophthalmologists in 2020 than in 2010, while IGeL based on other technological procedures such as glaucoma OCT were offered more frequently in 2020. The volume of IGeL provided in established ophthalmological practices was stable between 2010 and 2020. The range of services offered in 2020 compared to 2010 reflects adynamic change associated with the entry of new technologies into routine care.