Germany’s Medical Association Warns Against Universal Introduction of Primary Care System
Germany’s medical association, the Kassenärztliche Bundesvereinigung (KBV), has expressed concerns to the Federal Minister of Health, Nina Warken, regarding the implementation of a universal primary care system for insured patients. Instead, the association advocates for an age limit for the so-called “house doctor model”.
According to Andreas Gassen, the KBV’s chairman, the model could be effective for older, multimorbid patients who require a coordinating role in their healthcare, allowing for the integration of various medical records and targeted referrals to specialist colleagues. However, Gassen emphasized that there is no one-size-fits-all age limit, but rather a general notion that the model becomes more relevant around the age of 50, when many people already have existing health issues.
In a related matter, the association’s chairman also emphasized the importance of patient involvement in the healthcare system, suggesting that those who do not participate in medical guidance could be incentivized to do so through co-payments for potentially higher medical costs. Gassen stated, “I believe that people who in the future do not participate in medical guidance should be involved in the costs that may arise as a result. If we have people who do not visit their general practitioner, who do not seek medical advice through the 116 117 hotline and instead seek the care of a specialist of their personal preference, then we may indeed need to consider co-payments.