Klaus Reinhardt, President of the German Medical Association (Bundesärztekammer), is demanding disadvantages for patients who bypass the proposed primary care system by going directly to a specialist when experiencing health issues. Speaking in an interview with the Funke-Mediengruppe newspapers, Reinhardt stated that those who avoid the prescribed rules “will experience a penalty.” He clarified that this penalty would not necessarily be financial; rather, “those who do not adhere to sensible rules should experience having to wait longer than someone who has the same illness but followed the rules.”
The German government intends to restructure primary care through new legislation. Health Minister Carsten Linnemann (CDU) must first submit a draft law. Initial outlines of this reform include strengthening patient direction and improving the interconnectedness of care services.
Reinhardt justifies his push by citing the high number of physician-patient contacts in Germany. He noted, “We have 9.7 doctor-patient contacts per year, which is very high across Europe. At the same time, we have around 220 inpatient cases per 1,000 inhabitants-one of the highest rates of hospital treatment worldwide. These are also consequences of our completely unregulated access to healthcare services.”
He argues that a stronger focus on primary care could consequently reduce waiting times. “Primary care is not about preventing doctor visits,” Reinhardt said. “It is about getting people to the right place at the right time and avoiding unnecessary contacts.” Specifically, he proposes that patients should first consult their general practitioner, with referrals handled as needed. Outside of clinic hours, the service number 116117 should handle initial contact. For the planned law, Reinhardt calls for a “pragmatic system that connects general practitioners, specialists, and clinics while avoiding needless bureaucracy.” Initial assessments could be supported through digital or telemedicine methods.
Simultaneously, Reinhardt warned against the consequences that the GKV-Contribution Level Stabilization Act will have on patient care. “The cuts linked to this law will be noticeable for everyone involved,” he stated. “Doctors have a right to be there for sick people. That will become more difficult under the new conditions.” He warned that if resources for staffing and open consultation hours disappear, scheduling appointments will become challenging. “Doctors will have to pay closer attention to who needs urgent care when they are ill.”
He added that the restrictions might first affect services not immediately related to medical treatment-such as assistance with applications for severe disability, nursing care services, or medical aids. The doctor’s representative stressed that one of the most difficult aspects is how the planned austerity measures also affect services for disease prevention and early detection.
