Bahr calls for abolition of practice fees

Federal Minister of Health Daniel Bahr demands payment of premiums and end of the practice fee

05/04/2012

The Federal Minister of Health Daniel Bahr (FDP) has again called for an end to the practice fee. The billions surplus in the health fund should be used according to Bahr for an abolition of the practice fee. The health insurance funds could also use the money and distribute premiums to their insured persons, Bahr continued.

The surplus of more than eight billion euros in the health fund has triggered a fierce debate among health insurance companies, doctors, the pharmaceutical industry and politicians over the use of financial reserves in recent weeks. In this context, the Federal Minister of Health has called for a distribution of premiums by the statutory health insurances to their members and the abolition of the practice fee. Thus, the use of the surplus becomes a campaign topic, in which also between FDP, CDU and CSU different opinions prevail.

Suspension or cancellation of the practice fee
Federal Health Minister Daniel Bahr told the radio station „Germany radio“, that the practice fee did not fulfill its control function and today only serves as an additional source of income for the health insurance funds. Bahr therefore called for a suspension or cancellation of the practice fee, which in his view, the people would benefit noticeably from the billions in surplus in the health insurance. However, there is by no means agreement in the Federal Government as regards the abolition of the practice fee. Unlike the FDP, the CDU does not consider an end to the practice fee.

Distribution of premiums for persons with statutory health insurance
In addition to the abolition of the practice fee, the Federal Minister of Health demanded the distribution of the surplus as premiums of the statutory health insurance companies to its members. Thus, the insured could also participate in the positive financial development of the health fund. According to Bahr numerous health insurance companies could pay corresponding premiums to their members. At present, however, only „nine health insurance companies in Germany“ Implement premium payments, it could meanwhile „Certainly over 30 health insurance companies make“, so the criticism of the Federal Minister of Health in an interview with „Germany radio“. (Fp)

Also read:
DGB: practice fee should be abolished
Private funds are no longer acceptable
Health insurance: What will change in 2012?

Picture: Günter Havlena