ÖGK threatens 900 million euros deficit: austerity measures are imminent!

ÖGK threatens 900 million euros deficit: austerity measures are imminent!

The Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK) expects a deficit of 900 million euros for 2025. This extremely worrying financial hole will lead to inevitable performance cuts for the insured. In the current situation, characterized by rising treatment costs, an increase in visits to the doctor and demographic aging, savings are no longer to be avoided. The increased unemployment exacerbates the income situation, since the health system is predominantly financed by contributions. Peter McDonald, who has been a chairman of the ÖGK since the beginning of the year, promises to ensure top medicine for all Austrians, but also sees a massive reform requirement.

This is how the Federal Government begins with intensive budget negotiations after the Easter holidays to relieve the heavily attacked budget. There are considerable cuts in both the ministries and in the health sector. By the end of April 2023, a comprehensive consolidation package is to be put together, which also includes measures such as the introduction of an ambulance fee and cost sharing for patient transport. In recent years, the pressure on the cash registers has increased, because statutory health insurance in Germany has reported a deficit of 5.5 billion euros, which has already led to premium increases there.

planned measures to reduce costs

In order to react to the impending financial bottlenecks, several options for reducing costs cannot be excluded. According to Kosmo , the specific areas in which services for health insurance patients will be clearly defined by the end of April 2023. The measures could also include the introduction of a digital assignment system for radiological studies, such as CT and MRI. This system is intended to enable doctors to transmit medical questions and results electronically so that patients can receive an assignment quickly.

The new allocation system represents an innovative step and is to be implemented in 2023. In times of scarce health insurers, this could contribute to an increase in efficiency in the health sector. It remains to be seen whether these changes can actually bring the necessary relief for the ÖGK.

financing structure of the health system

A central role in the financing of the hospitals play according to Gesundheit.gv.at . These include both tax funds and flat -rate contributions from the social security institutions. The federal government, the federal states and social security act as essential sources of financing. In addition to the tax funds, additional payments from patients and income from the inpatient special class - that is, private additional insurance or self -paying - flow into the budget. The economic situation of the health insurance funds is also reflected in the different financing models that are implemented in the entire system.

In this tense situation, it is all the more important that the actors in the healthcare system develop a clear plan for reducing costs. Peter McDonald calls for specific answers to the challenges, in particular with regard to the savings apart from administrative reforms. The upcoming decisions and measures will be decisive for the future of health care in Austria.