Health Insurance Chief Calls for Fee for Doctor's Visit - Germany’s bold healthcare overhaul aims to curb rising insurance costs by 2027
The German government is planning major reforms to control rising healthcare costs. By 2027, changes will target inefficiencies in the system, aiming to prevent sharp increases in car insurance premiums. Industry leaders and officials have now put forward concrete proposals to stabilise spending.
Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) has set out plans to improve oversight and efficiency across the sector. The reforms will affect hospitals, doctors, and patients alike. An expert group, appointed by the cabinet, has recommended a €50 billion savings package. Their proposals include stricter cost controls in hospitals, such as capping unlimited spending on care and limiting how much of staff pay rises can be passed on to patients.
The group also suggested shifting more care to outpatient settings to cut expenses. Other measures involve broader tax funding for statutory health insurance, full federal support for welfare recipients’ healthcare benefits, and tax-financed training for medical professionals. They proposed reducing VAT on medicines and merging funding sources for health and long-term care.
Industry representatives have added their own ideas. Gerald Gaß, CEO of the German Hospital Federation (DKG), called for doubling the daily co-payment for hospital stays to €20. He also recommended charging patients who misuse emergency services. Andreas Gassen, chairman of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV), proposed a €3-4 'contact fee' for each doctor visit. This fee would increase revenue for health insurers.
The government expects an expert commission to submit initial proposals for stabilising the system by March. A full set of reform recommendations will follow by the end of 2026.
The planned reforms will bring significant changes to how healthcare is funded and delivered in Germany. Patients may face higher co-payments for hospital stays and new fees for doctor visits. The government aims to finalise the overhaul by 2027 to prevent further rises in insurance costs.
Read also:
- Federal Funding Supports Increase in Family Medicine Residency Program, Focusing on Rural Health Developments
- Potential Role of DHA in Shielding the Brain from Saturated Fats?
- Alternative Gentle Retinoid: Exploring Bakuchiol Salicylate for Sensitive Skin
- Hanoi initiates a trial program for rabies control, along with efforts to facilitate the transition from the dog and cat meat trade industry.
