Health insurance choice for all

Insured are afraid of contribution growth and reduction of benefits - Good ratings for doctors and health insurance - But: Nine out of ten respondents see need for reform

11/10/2014

According to a study commissioned by the Techniker Kasse (TK) from the opinion research institute FORSA, the critics of the insured persons in the German health care system have declined significantly. According to this, three-quarters of those insured are satisfied with the health care system, and two-thirds believe that they will live up to their expectations in future, significantly more than in 2006.

This should also contribute to the current billions surplus of health insurance, which has made the former reforms, such as the capitation, the uniform contribution rate or the health fund on which the criticism was based at times, partly superfluous. Thus, the uniform contribution rate and the health fund 2015 will be abolished.

According to the survey, most insured persons expect premium increases, a little more than half expect a reduction in the level of benefits, almost half with a decline in medical care quality, and only one third believe that all patients will continue to receive the latest treatment medical findings come. This is especially important, TK chief Baas said to the Berliner Morgenpost. Two thirds of those insured would therefore be willing to pay higher contribution rates. In addition, a third would be ready to communicate with the doctor by video, and the vast majority would accept more options and a longer wait for better treatment.

Basically, those insured by law are more satisfied with the health system than the privately insured. The latter find the system, presumably unfair, because of the high premiums in old age and also make up the majority of those who see need for reform. "The most pessimistic are the people in the 'rush hour of life' between mid-20 and mid-50th Furthermore, the doubts increase, the higher the level of education and the worse the health status," said Forsa CEO Professor Manfred Güllner in a press release of the TK.

Insureds demand more freedom in the choice of cash

The doctors attest to good grades from their patients, around 70 per cent were very satisfied with the medical performance. For the insured with poor health, there were still 60 percent.

"The bottom line is the communication between doctors and patients," said Forsa CEO Manfred Güllner. "Most of the criticism was expressed by patients in the education about risks and side effects of drugs."

However, the insured gave a clear discharge to the „Act to strengthen the provision of statutory health insurance“ the current coalition government in Berlin. This provides patients with a specialist appointment within four weeks (We reported). Experts doubt whether the government can even implement this self-imposed goal. The insured, however, already the four weeks are far from sufficient. For example, half would not want to wait more than a week for such an appointment, another third would not wait longer than two weeks. (Jp)