The Kassenärztliche Bundesvereinigung (KBV) supports the government’s plans to regulate patient referrals. “It makes sense to prevent everyone from seeking out a specialist based on their personal judgment and triggering unnecessary diagnostic tests that may leave others without” said KBV President Andreas Gassen in an interview with the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung. However, he emphasized that regulation is not necessary for all patients. A mandatory referral for preventive examinations would be “rubbish” he said. “And should one not be allowed to see an ENT specialist immediately if they have severe ear pain?” Gassen also stressed the need for flexibility in areas such as vaccinations and accidents. “But I believe that we can find good solutions through consultation with lawmakers that would be affordable for practices and meaningful for patients.”
Gassen also pointed out the importance of allowing patients to see a doctor without a referral, but at their own expense. “What is not realistic is that people would simply be sent away at the practice counter” he said, noting that such a policy would lead to “scary scenes” in specialist practices due to the high number of aggression and even violence against doctors and their staff.
The Union and SPD agreed in their coalition agreement to introduce a “mandatory primary care system.” General practitioners, pediatricians and gynecologists will be responsible for regulation. The German Medical Association and the association of statutory health insurance providers also support the plan. The German Patient Protection Foundation criticized the plans.
Gassen downplayed the hope that limiting free choice of doctor could significantly reduce healthcare costs. “We believe that the expectation of saving two billion euros annually is unrealistic” he said. “There is not much to be gained in ambulatory care. The largest cost block is hospitals, which currently account for over 100 billion euros per year in payments, with a continuing upward trend. And it will take years for hospital reform to have an effect and make any changes.