New law Benefits for cash patients?

Supplementary health care law: solving health problems

11/10/2014

Federal Health Minister Hermann Gröhe (CDU) wants to solve various health problems with the help of a new law. Among other things, the provision strengthening law to counteract the shortage of doctors in rural areas and regulate the appointment of specialist appointments.

Regulate the assignment of specialist appointments
Federal Health Minister Hermann Gröhe (CDU) wants to tackle several health problems with a new law. As various media report, the Law on Strengthening Health Care Insurance (VSG) aims to solve various problems. For example, it is planned to shorten long waiting times by awarding specialist appointments for health insurance customers via service points to a maximum of four weeks. If patients have not received an appointment during this period, they should receive an outpatient clinic appointment.

Financial incentives for doctors in the countryside
However, it is already criticized that this appointment is only a symbolic policy. Among other things, because those who do not get the desired date at their desired doctor, would anyway get a transfer and then go there, where just something is free. Another point in the bill is to tackle the shortage of doctors in rural areas. Thus, financial incentives are provided for physicians who settle in rural, underserved regions. In urban areas with oversupply, practices should not be reassigned.

Improvements planned for midwives
In addition, should with the „SHI Supply Enhancement Act“ in the area „Liability insurance for freelance midwives“ be regulated that health insurance companies largely waive recourse claims in the future. On the part of the funds, however, this plan is rejected. This has long been a major problem for midwives, as professional liability insurance is almost invaluable to many of them. A further increase of the contributions is to be avoided with the advance. Although it has recently become known that freelance midwives in midwifery so-called „Liability allowances“ However, these are limited until mid-2015.

Reimbursement of costs for a second medical opinion
Other items included in the bill include improved discharge management after hospitalization, reimbursement of second-medical care funds prior to surgery, and new medical centers for the treatment of people with intellectual disabilities or multiple disabilities. It is also discussed that in emergency departments of rural clinics not only emergencies, but also simpler diseases should be treated, as well as that patients can choose their rehabilitation measures. In addition, dentists who offer preventive care in nursing homes, get a higher fee. (Ad)