Alternative therapies

Are alternative therapies covered by the patient injury scheme?

The Patient Injury Act also covers alternative therapies provided as part of the ordinary health service. For example, a physiotherapist who performs acupuncture as an integral part of their ordinary treatment will be covered by the scheme.

If alternative therapies are exclusively or predominantly carried out, these will not be covered by the scheme. This will apply in particular where authorised healthcare personnel's expertise is used only to a minor extent for providing alternative therapies and where the therapy is marketed as an alternative. If you are unsure whether you are covered, you should ask for a specific assessment by NPE.

Duty to register and pay contributions

There is a duty to register and pay contributions for the part of the enterprise covered by the Patient Injury Act. Registration with NPE is not required for alternative therapies outside of ordinary healthcare that are not covered by the Patient Injury Act. Read more about registration here.