Expensive for health insurance companies, long waiting times in practices – the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians wants to do something about unnecessary visits to the doctor. A bonus model for patients and a central contact point should help.
The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) wants to reduce the number of unnecessary doctor visits with the help of a new bonus model. In the future, patients should voluntarily appoint a doctor who will be the first point of contact and refer them to specialists if necessary, said KBV federal chairman Andreas Gassen to the “Bild” newspaper.
“If patients voluntarily allow themselves to be controlled by their practice as part of a statutory health insurance plan, they should be rewarded for it,” demanded Gassen. “Depending on effectiveness and patient behavior, this reward could perhaps be up to 100 euros per year.” It would then be attractive for insured persons to take part in voluntary control.
In Gassen’s opinion, this could reduce the number of unnecessary doctor’s visits and save costs.
No Multiple Billings more
“It is not uncommon for a patient to go to several general practitioners and specialists who carry out similar examinations. This costs the practices time and the health insurance companies money,” said the KBV chairman. For example, there would no longer be unnecessary costs due to multiple billing for medications.
The head of the association explained that if, for example, the family doctor, gynecologist or, in the case of chronic illnesses, the treating specialist practice acts as a contact point for the patient and coordinates the referral to medical services, this could prevent patients from arranging unnecessary appointments or unsuitable treatments themselves.