After an employer advance
General practitioners find practice fee “anti -social” and possibly dangerous
There was a practice fee a few years ago, now it is being discussed again. The doctors who had to do with it immediately have a clear opinion.
The general practitioner association rejects the advance for the introduction of a contact fee for patients in German medical practices. “This proposal of the employers is not only anti-social, but also completely amazed,” said association chairwoman Nicola Buhlinger-Göpfarth of the “Rheinische Post”.
Chronically sick people would then have to pay the fee dozens of times a year. “In particular, that would completely overwhelm socially weak financially,” warned the head of the general practitioner association. Such a fee would also prevent the patients from visiting the doctor with severe health consequences for the patients, because diseases are treated too late or a precautionary measure does not take place.
Too many doctor-patient contacts
The general manager of the Federal Association of German Employers’ Associations, Steffen Kampeter, had spoken out in view of increasing additional contributions to the health insurance companies for a contact fee for every visit to the doctor. In the “Berlin PlayBook” podcast of “Politico” he said that such a fee could bring about more patient control and limit “doctors shopping”.
Buhlinger-Göpfarth admitted that not all doctor-patient contacts were necessary. However, the answer is not general contact fees, but better patient control. This requires a primary medical doctor system. The family practice is always the first point of contact, which, if necessary, consults other specialists.
There had already been a practice fee. From 2004 to 2012, ten euros were due during the first visit to the doctor in the quarter. Among other things, politics hoped that people do not go to the doctor because of trivial cases.
Old practice fee without tax effect
The German Foundation for Patient Protection turned against a new edition of a practice fee. Foundation board member Eugen Brysch spoke of an “old body” to Zdfheute. The fee abolished in 2012 had “no tax effect” and partly held patients from looking for medical help in good time. The administrative effort for practices was also high.
The Verdi service union also does not see any contribution to the better control of patients in contact fees. “They would further tighten the social imbalance in medical care,” said federal board member Sylvia Bühler to Zdfheute. Instead, a strong primary doctor system and sustainable concepts for supply in rural regions are needed.
Dpa
LW
Source: Stern
I’m Caroline, a journalist and author for 24 Hours Worlds. I specialize in health-related news and stories, bringing real-world impact to readers across the globe. With my experience in journalism and writing in both print and online formats, I strive to provide reliable information that resonates with audiences from all walks of life.
