Germany's GKV reform faces legal and insurer backlash over specialist dentist rule

The German federal council is reviewing the GKV Contribution Stabilisation Act, which would limit orthodontic treatment under statutory health insurance to specialist orthodontists. The Federal Dental Association (BZÄK) argues the measure is unconstitutional, violating dentists' professional freedom under Article 12 of the Basic Law and jeopardising the care of roughly 920,000 children and adolescents.

The AOK health insurers warn the same legislation could fail to curb rising costs, leading to higher contributions, possible hospital insolvencies and reduced service quality. They call for a genuine savings package, fair burden sharing between contributors and the state, and criticize the lack of alternative cost‑cutting proposals.