Suche
Mein Konto
A visit to the doctor will soon be a luxury again? Does the practice fee grow back?
Federal Minister of Health Warken is examining the reintroduction of the practice fee to stabilize statutory health insurance.
A visit to the doctor will soon be a luxury again? Does the practice fee grow back?
Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) is seriously considering reintroducing the practice fee, all amid the challenges facing statutory health insurance companies (GKV). Lightning on the horizon: A commission of experts is expected to present solutions to stabilize the system by 2026. This reports regionalheute.de.
The practice fee, which required a fixed payment of ten euros per quarter for doctor's visits between 2004 and 2012, was abolished at the time because of the high bureaucratic effort and questionable income. Today, however, there is agreement among doctors and health insurance companies: a comeback of this fee would be anything but wise. Dr. Ilka Aden, chairwoman of the Braunschweig Association of General Practitioners, warns that additional bureaucracy would put further strain on people with low incomes and mental illnesses in particular.
The reactions are predominantly negative
AOK Niedersachsen, known as the largest health insurance company in Lower Saxony, also sees no positive effects of a new practice fee. Managing Director Dr. Jürgen Peter makes it clear that this would not only bring additional bureaucracy, but would also not allow any real control of doctor's visits. Care cost dilemma: Every year, the treatment costs for those receiving citizen's benefit burden health insurance companies by almost ten billion euros.
The signals available are clear: doctors and health insurance companies reject the idea outright. Instead, Peter calls for a reorganization of the healthcare system, for example through a primary doctor model. This could enable effective control of patient flows and not place additional burdens on those insured.
Economic challenges in the healthcare system
A look into the future shows: From 2027, experts expect deficits in the double-digit billion range. A far-reaching problem for the GKV that requires action. In this context, harmonized cooperation between the federal government and health insurance funds is considered necessary. Peter appeals to those responsible to close the state financing gaps and thus provide significant relief for the insured.
The points mentioned above make it clear that the issue of practice fees and the entire structure of statutory health insurance are currently in jeopardy. Mirror Online offers additional information on the discussion surrounding the practice fee.
In summary, although the discussion about a new practice fee is in full swing, practicing doctors and health insurance companies are vehemently against this idea. The questions about stabilizing statutory health insurance remain unanswered for the time being. It remains exciting to see how the situation will develop in the next few years.