The economics In view of rising costs in the health system, Monika Schnitzer advocates for more deductibles from statutory health insurance patients. “Germany is the world champion when it comes to doctor and clinic visits,” she told the Rhenish Post. “We have to strengthen prevention. But we will also have to increase the deductible.”
As an example, she cited the practice fee for doctor’s visits. “A practice fee makes sense if you can collect it with little bureaucracy,” said carver. “Instead of burdening the doctors with this, the health insurance companies could collect it.”
A spokesman for the umbrella association of statutory health insurance companies (GKV) criticized the call for the reintroduction of one Practice fee distract from the “fundamental problems in our healthcare system.” Statutory health insurance spending on higher fees, clinics, medication and overall more services would increase by around 23 billion euros to around 370 billion euros in the coming year. “No practice fee helps against this dynamic spending,” said the spokesman. Instead, “fundamental structural reforms” are needed.
This article will continue to be updated.
