ÖGK: Patients have to pay for patient transport from July!

ÖGK: Patients have to pay for patient transport from July!

The Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK) faces the challenge of compensating for a deficit of 900 million euros, which was caused by various external factors, including demographic changes and increasing costs. In order to stabilize the financial situation, the Board of Directors passed a comprehensive package of measures in a general meeting on Tuesday. These measures are aimed at reaching a balanced budget for 2024.

ÖGK boss Peter McDonald announced that the deficit should be reduced to around 250 million euros by the end of 2023. In addition to a large number of savings measures, the approval obligation for MRI and CT examinations is reintroduced. These changes are carried out against the background of weak economic development and increasing unemployment that negatively influence the contributions.

cost reduction measures and changes in the performance catalog

A central element of the consolidation plan is the future costs for patient transports, which will be charged from July 2025. Patients have to pay a double prescription fee of 15.10 euros, unless they are emergency. Furthermore, the deductible in orthopedic dimensional shoes is raised and discussions are underway on the takeover of the vitamin D value without medical indication. However, all insured persons should continue to be guaranteed access to medically necessary services, regardless of age, place of residence or social status.

The ÖGK also plans to make internal savings by only filling every second retirement. This affects 86 full -time positions. The number of temporary workers is also reduced and a levy of 10% of the administrative areas is sought in order to reduce the material effort. By the end of the year, an electronic approval system for MRI and CT examinations is to be introduced in order to further increase the efficiency of health care.

social reactions and the future outlook

The announced austerity measures have already caused criticism, especially from the FPÖ and the Vienna Medical Association. They expressed concerns about the possible negative effects on older people and the general care situation in the healthcare system. Despite these challenges, the ÖGK strives to improve the efficiency in healthcare and to reduce the administrative costs, which are currently only 2% of the contributions.

The ÖGK is currently the largest social health insurance in Austria, which has around 7.6 million insured persons. The upcoming reforms are in the context of developments in the Austrian health system, which are analyzed in the reports of the European observatory for health systems and health policy. Austria's health system was recently assessed as part of the HIT profiles (Health Systems in Transition) in order to receive a comprehensive overview of organization, financing and reforms.

For the ÖGK, the focus on evidence -based and efficient health care remains high. The upcoming changes are a long -term step to meet the challenges of changing demographic environment and financial bottlenecks.