Several Brandenburg landkreises have stopped covering the full costs of rescue missions since January 1, 2025. The dispute over the cost of services has led to a situation where the municipalities are no longer fully reimbursed by the health insurance companies. In the affected landkreises of Teltow-Fläming, Barnim, Märkisch-Oderland, Oder-Spree, Oberspreewald-Lausitz, Spree-Neiße, Oberhavel, Uckermark and Potsdam-Mittelmark, residents may have to pay up to 654 euros per rescue mission until the dispute is resolved.
According to a report by Neues Deutschland, the health insurance companies are, according to the Brandenburg Rescue Service Act, required to cover the costs of every rescue mission. However, the exact costs per mission are determined by the municipalities. The dispute over the cost of services arose because the health insurance companies have rejected the municipalities’ calculations, considering them unprofitable.
As a result, the health insurance companies have refused the municipalities’ calculations and have instead calculated the costs themselves, with the help of an independent expert. However, the municipalities argue that, according to the law, they are responsible for setting the cost scales and eight of the landkreises have commissioned an independent legal opinion. According to the opinion, the municipalities’ calculations are entirely in order.
In the meantime, residents may be required to pay the difference, up to several hundred euros per mission, as the dispute remains unresolved. A recent example, cited by the newspaper, illustrates the potential cost: if a rescue mission costs a total of 1449 euros, but the health insurance companies only agree to pay 794.91 euros, the resident would be responsible for the remaining 654 euros. The exact cost will depend on factors such as whether only paramedics are sent or a doctor is also dispatched.
The head of Märkisch-Oderland, Gernot Schmidt (SPD), advises patients to submit their cost claims to their health insurance companies and, if necessary, to sue the companies if they refuse to pay. The municipality will support residents in the event of a lawsuit and provide legal representation.
The article concludes by noting that vulnerable residents may need to carefully consider whether they can afford to call for an emergency service, as they may not know what costs their health insurance will cover.