Declaration on the maintenance of neutrality and independence

of the AAD for dealing with commercial enterprises while promoting the health insurance companies and / or their associations under § 20c SGB V

Preamble

Self-help groups, self-help organizations and self-help contact points conduct their professional and political work for the needs and interests of disabled and chronically ill people and their families. They promote the self-determination of disabled and chronically ill people. Dealing with business enterprises must not restrict the independence of self-help and must be transparent. In order to maintain the neutrality and independence of self-help in the future, the leading agencies of self-help have for some time published their own detailed guidelines. These are available to all self-help groups, self-help organizations and self-help contact points. In addition, the leading agencies of self-help advise the self-help groups, self-help organizations and self-help contact points on the objectives and the regulatory content of these principles in practice.

With the following declaration, the AAD undertakes to maintain its neutrality and independence. This declaration was drawn up in agreement with the leading organizations of self-help and the associations of health insurance funds at the federal level and is valid since the funding year 2007. It is based on the already existing guiding principles of organized self-help.

Explanation

I. Autonomy of self-help
The self-help groups, self-help organizations and self-help contact points can accept financial contributions from persons under private and public law, from organizations and commercial enterprises, provided that no dependence is created as a result. This requires that there should be no predominant financing of self-help groups, organizations and contact points by commercial enterprises (for example, the pharmaceutical industry, medical device manufacturers, medical devices manufacturers, etc.). In all areas of cooperation with business enterprises, autonomy over the content of their work, its implementation and the use of resources must remain with the self-help organization.

II. Transparency
Support from and cooperation with business enterprises are to be treated transparently. Advertising of business enterprises is to be marked specifically. Information about commercial enterprises is to be identified and should not be passed on without comment. Statements and recommendations without indication of sources, especially of third parties, do not belong to the information practices of self-help organizations. Funds raised from sponsorship and sponsorship donations are to be disclosed at least once a year to health insurance companies and their associations, in separate lists of sponsors and supporters. This includes the services provided.

III. Data protection
Should self-help groups, self-help organizations and self-help contact points wish to pass on personal data, the provisions of data protection law must be respected.

IV. Information
Should self-help groups, self-help organizations and self-help contact points wish to use business enterprises’ communication rights, like, for example, granting the right to use the name of the club or the logo in publications, product information, the Internet, advertising or at events, written agreements are to be drawn up. This excludes the direct or indirect promotion of products, product groups or services for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic diseases or disabilities.

V. Events
The self-help groups, self-help organizations and self-help contact points ensure that the events organized and conducted by them always maintain neutrality and independence. This claim also applies to organizational issues. The choice of the venue, the frame, the process and the contents of the event are determined by the self-help organization. Travel costs are generally based on federal or state travel cost laws. If fees are paid, these are to be measured moderately. Data from participants in events will not be passed on to commercial enterprises.

The AAD undertakes to adhere to these principles.