Andreas Gassen, chairman of the German Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV), warned in an interview with Politico that the medical community expects protests against looming cost‑cutting measures in the outpatient sector.
When the finance commission of Health Minister Nina Warken presented its 66 proposals on Monday, it claimed a total savings potential of more than €42 billion for the statutory health insurance (GKV). Experts, however, argue that only about €15 billion needs to be cut in order to keep contributions stable. Approximately €5 billion of the proposals directly target physician services.
Gassen criticised the plan as another reduction of what he described as already too low remuneration for doctors. He said that, “the fee structure will be pared down further for physicians” and he added that while this is not the responsibility of the KBV, the professional associations will certainly mobilise. He referenced the pharmacist’s nationwide protest on March 23, in which they demanded a higher fixed apothecary fee of €9.50.
According to Gassen, the situation for doctors is fundamentally different: “It’s not that an increase is insufficient; it’s that the fee structure is being reduced significantly”. He cited the recent 4.5 % cut in reimbursement for psychotherapists as a stark example, asking readers to imagine the impact on another medical specialty in Germany.
Gassen warned that these cuts will shrink the service offering, because it is unreasonable to expect physicians to produce more for less pay. He called the notion “idiotic” and pointed out that it would have direct consequences for patients. “There will inevitably be longer waiting times” he said. In 2024 the average waiting time for a specialist appointment for statutory insured patients stood at 42 days-nine days longer than in 2019.
Minister Warken intends to shorten waiting times through a primary‑care reform. A draft of the reform is expected soon.
