Statutory insured persons should receive bonuses in the future if they always seek treatment from their family doctor first. This is an amendment to the deadline and service law of Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) before, reported the editorial network Germany, citing coalition circles.
In the course of so-called family doctor contracts, patients can commit to their health fund to go to the same family doctor for a year, and only to the referral to the specialist.
According to the report, the Union and the SPD now want to demand that the health insurances distribute to the members half of the "efficiency gains" thus achieved in the form of premiums. The coalition wants to strengthen the position of GPs in the health system.
Spahn wants more influence on service catalog of the cash registers
The Federal Cabinet had passed the Term Service and Supply Act in September - but it has not yet come into force. It provides, among other things, that doctors in the future instead of 20 have to offer at least 25 hours per week as consultation hours. Certain groups of doctors, such as ophthalmologists and gynecologists, as well as ear, nose and throat doctors are also obliged to offer at least five hours per week as an open consultation without an appointment.
In addition to their current budget, the physicians should receive this benefit. According to Spahn's plans, it should also be remunerated when a family doctor gives his patient a specialist appointment. "Statutory insureds too often wait too long for medical appointments," said Spahn. That should be changed together with the doctors.
Recently, Spahn had received criticism in connection with the question of what benefits the health insurance companies should pay and for which patients themselves have to pay. He wants to influence such decisions in the future. Actually, the Joint Federal Committee (G-BA) of doctors, health insurance funds and clinics largely decides on the benefits catalog of the health insurance companies.