A senior health official is proposing a fundamental restructuring of the statutory health insurance system in Germany, aiming to address rising contribution costs. Tino Sorge, State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Health (CDU), suggests a shift towards a system offering a significantly lower base tariff alongside individually selectable add-on services.
According to reports from “Bild” Sorge believes this approach provides a viable alternative to continuous contribution increases. He envisions a model where health insurance funds (“Kassen”) offer a range of tailored tariffs, incorporating comprehensive basic care and allowing individuals to supplement this with additional packages based on their specific needs. This restructuring, he emphasizes, would prevent any policyholder from experiencing a decrease in their overall health insurance coverage.
Sorge outlined potential add-on features, citing the coverage of eyeglass expenses as a potential benefit that could be offered as an optional service. He also advocated for the introduction of a “primary care physician model” accompanied by financial incentives designed to encourage patients to adhere to a designated primary care provider, potentially contributing to lower tariff options.
The proposed plans are slated for discussion with the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in the coming weeks. The objective is to explore avenues for sustainable cost management within the German statutory health insurance system.
