The German Society for Pain Medicine (DGS) has strongly criticized the planned cuts to the healthcare system. According to the experts, these proposed reductions threaten the long-term outpatient care available to people with chronic pain. During a discussion about the draft bill for stabilizing contribution rates within statutory health insurance, the DGS President, Richard Ibrahim, stated that “the austerity measures disproportionately affect the patient group that most urgently requires stable care structures”.
Ibrahim emphasized that “chronic pain necessitates continuous care” arguing that consequently, the system requires sustainable funding for outpatient services, multidisciplinary teams, less bureaucracy, and clear prioritization of care for chronically ill individuals. He called upon policymakers to consider the specific needs of people with chronic pain during any reform planning, noting that a stable outpatient pain medicine sector is essential for maintaining quality of life, social participation, and avoiding the need for inpatient stays.
The specialty society also criticized the reliance of pain patients on consistent, time-intensive, and multidisciplinary treatment. The physicians explained that they would immediately feel the consequences of any financial capping in the outpatient sector, as limited reimbursement will inevitably lead to reduced services.
Of particular concern to the DGS is the planned elimination of payment incentives under the Appointment Service and Care Act (TSVG). Data from the Central Institute for Outpatient Care indicates that these incentives have helped improve appointment booking. Reducing the availability of these appointments increases the risk of chronification for pain patients due to delays in diagnosis and therapy.
Furthermore, there is a danger that practices might respond to financial cuts by reducing staff or limiting services, which could result in longer waiting times. For people suffering from chronic pain, this represents an added burden, especially since many are already facing long waits for appointments and treatment today.
