The Federal Minister of Health, Nina Warken (CDU), has advocated for the elimination of distinctions based on patient insurance status when scheduling appointments with physicians. According to statements provided to the Funke-Mediengruppe newspapers, Warken asserted that the allocation of medical appointments should not differentiate between privately and publicly insured individuals.
She reiterated her support for the introduction of a primary care physician system. Under this framework, the family doctor would serve as the initial point of contact, responsible for coordinating and ensuring patients receive timely appointments with specialist doctors within defined timeframes.
Responding to proposals for practice or contact fees, Warken expressed a more cautious approach. She stated that various strategies exist to manage practice visits and maintain a high standard of care without imposing undue financial burdens on patients. The overarching goal, she emphasized, is to implement reforms that preserve the existing quality of care while fostering stability in contributions.
Warken indicated that the reform commission tasked with this process should operate without preconceived constraints, encouraging a broad range of potential solutions. The current disparity in wait times for specialist appointments, with publicly insured individuals often facing longer delays compared to those with private insurance, has been a recurring source of public frustration and criticism.
Highlighting that Germans generally visit physicians more frequently than individuals in other countries, Minister Warken underscored the need for enhanced coordination to avoid unnecessary appointments and expedite access for those who require them most urgently. The aim, she concluded, is to optimise the existing healthcare system for the benefit of all patients.
