A commission established by Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) to stabilize Germany’s statutory health insurance system (GKV) is likely to discuss the reintroduction of a patient co-payment, similar to a system in place between 2004 and 2012. Minister Warken indicated that the possibility would be explored during the commission’s deliberations, according to reports from the dts news agency in Berlin.
The commission, composed of ten experts representing fields such as economics, medicine, social law, ethics and prevention, operates without preconceived limitations. A key objective is to increase control and oversight within the GKV system. However, Warken stressed that a co-payment would only be justifiable if it demonstrably leads to cost control and does not simply result in increased financial burden for patients. She emphasized the importance of ensuring any measure has a tangible impact on the system.
The Minister acknowledged the significant financial pressures facing the statutory health insurance funds. Projections indicate a potential deficit in the double-digit billion-euro range as early as 2027, necessitating comprehensive measures and structural reforms to stabilize the system.
The commission’s first report, due in March 2026, will propose initial measures to stabilize contribution rates starting in 2027. This will include identifying major cost drivers, inefficiencies in expenditure and challenges on the revenue side of the GKV.
A second report, scheduled for December 2026, will focus on potential structural reforms to curb medium-to-long-term expenditure growth and address issues impacting revenue.
