Warken seeks solution for annual prescriptions for chronically ill - Germany Plans to Cut Doctor Visits for Chronic Patients to Once a Year
German Health Minister Nina Warken is pushing for a new rule to cut down on doctor visits for chronic patients. Currently, these patients must renew prescriptions every three months. Warken wants to extend this to once a year instead. The plan builds on legal groundwork laid by the previous traffic-light coalition government. However, progress stalled after their term ended. Now, Warken is reviving the reform to reduce unnecessary appointments and ease waiting times.
Medical groups and insurers have largely backed the idea. The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV) called it a 'good and sensible measure'. They believe it will spare certain patients extra trips and lighten the load on surgeries. A spokesperson for the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) admitted the reform poses a 'complex challenge'. Still, they expect an agreement by this spring. Warken has also reassured that the change won’t raise costs for health insurers.
If approved, the reform would let chronic patients renew prescriptions just once a year. This would replace the current three-month system. The shift aims to streamline care while keeping expenses stable.
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