Massive increase in health care costs

Health costs: Soon 300 billion in Germany annually?

The Federal Statistical Office currently states that in Germany in 2008 health costs amounted to more than € 263 billion for treatments and medicines. On each German came with 3210 euros. In 2009, the number should have increased again. Thus, the costs in the health care system in 2008 already 10.5 percent of the German gross domestic product (GDP) and for 2009 statisticians expect an increase to over 11 percent of GDP. From 2007 to 2008, an increase of almost 10 billion euros (3.9 percent) was recorded. Thus, the spending in the health sector could soon be at 300 billion per year in Germany.

According to the Federal Statistical Office, most of the expenditures had statutory health insurances at almost 60 percent and thus around 150 billion euros. A large proportion of the costs, almost 50 percent, went to doctors' surgeries, pharmacies and nursing homes with just over 130 billion euros. Where the doctor's practices and pharmacies, each with about 40 percent, well ahead of the care facilities with less than 10 percent. The increase in expenditures for the individual inhabitant in Germany amounted in 2008 compared to 2007 whole 130 euro - from 3080 euro to 3210 euro.

By contrast, spending by private households on their own medications has fallen. This should certainly include medicines that are prescribed for statutory insured by naturopaths in the context of naturopathy and thus have to be paid for themselves. (Thorsten Fischer, Naturopath Osteopathy, 06.04.2010)

To read more:
Press release of the Federal Statistical Office
Member loss at the health insurance companies