Negotiations between Germany’s National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV-Spitzenverband) and the National Association of Statutory Physicians (KBV) have resulted in agreed-upon criteria for remuneration packages, potentially broadening access to services offered by general practitioners starting in 2026.
Stefanie Stoff-Ahnis, Deputy CEO of the GKV-Spitzenverband, described the agreement as a first step towards a more patient-centered approach. She indicated that the goal is to enhance services through measures such as extended evening and weekend appointment availability, increased home visits and improved care for residents of nursing homes, representing ten key areas for improvement.
Stoff-Ahnis emphasized that linking funding to the scope of services provided will incentivize practices to prioritize patient needs. However, the immediate impact on patients remains uncertain, contingent upon the number of general practices that choose to adapt their offerings.
The changes center around new criteria that general practices must now meet to receive certain funding previously provided without conditions. Currently, approximately one-third – around three billion euros – of all remuneration for general practitioners is distributed as a “structural allowance” simply for participation in patient care. Starting January 1st, this will be replaced by a “retention allowance” granted only when practices offer defined services.
The GKV-Spitzenverband and KBV have jointly developed these ten criteria, which include the aforementioned extended hours and nursing home visits, as well as the provision of video consultations and a set number of vaccinations and ultrasound examinations.
The restructured allowance originates from a directive issued by former Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, aiming to strengthen primary care services across Germany. The corresponding “Healthcare Strengthening Act” was approved by the previous Bundestag in January of last year.