German health insurers accuse doctors of spreading panic over appointments

German statutory health insurance funds are accusing physicians of inciting fear among patients regarding medical appointment availability. This dispute follows the federal government's healthcare reform and savings package.

Andreas Gassen, head of the association of statutory health insurance physicians, warned that cuts to outpatient care funding would lead to significantly longer waiting times for insured patients. He noted that the government's reform has already eliminated over 50 million appointments, which could exacerbate existing shortages.

In response, Stefanie Stoff-Ahnis, deputy head of the GKV-Spitzenverband, stated that the claim that fewer appointments will be available due to lower pay is incorrect. She clarified that the reform does not cut remuneration for medical services themselves, but rather eliminates bonuses and surcharges previously used to incentivize faster appointment scheduling. Stoff-Ahnis argued that these extra fees were ineffective, as waiting times had increased despite their existence, and labeled the doctors' warnings an affront to 75 million insured individuals and their employers.