Politicians, employers, and health insurance representatives are advocating for patients to bear a share of the costs for doctor visits, aiming to reduce the number of unnecessary appointments and alleviate the burden on the healthcare system. Discussions are ongoing on how to implement a contact fee and what impact it would have on patients.
The average number of doctor visits per year in Germany stands at 10, a figure deemed high compared to other countries. One proposed solution is the introduction of a contact fee for each doctor visit to curb unnecessary appointments and lighten the load on the healthcare system. Despite the slower rise in costs for doctor visits relative to total healthcare expenditures, various suggestions such as the house doctor model have emerged to streamline patient flows and prevent the overload of specialist practices.
Decision-makers view patient cost-sharing as necessary to financially relieve the healthcare system and deploy resources more efficiently. However, critics caution against the social burden this may impose on patients, particularly those with chronic illnesses or low incomes. Diverse opinions exist on the implementation of a contact fee, with alternative proposals like the house doctor model being actively debated.