ÖGK plans patient steering: e-card incentives instead of fees?

ÖGK plans patient steering: e-card incentives instead of fees?

The discussion about patient steering in the Austrian health system takes on speed. Andreas Huss, the employee chairman of the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK), has introduced major plans to create primarily incentives for patients. According to Kleinezeitung.at, Huss plans a system that could regulate access to specialists. An e-card fee is considered that could be issued if patients first consult their family doctor.

As part of these considerations, a possible reduction in the prescription fee is also discussed. Huss sees this an opportunity for better use of resources in the health system. The desired measures are part of the current government program and have already been agreed in the financial equalization. These reforms are intended to help reduce the waiting times to specialist dates and re -organize the patient flows.

The reactions of the medical association

The proposals from Huss not only encounter approval. Johannes Steinhart, President of the Austrian Medical Association, critically commented on the planned restrictions. According to [aectirol.at] (https://www.aektirol.at/news-detail/oesterreich-aerztammer-an-hema-patient-steering-and-community discussion), he calls for a serious and consensual discussion before measures are implemented. Steinhart particularly criticizes the idea of restricting visits to specialists through e-card closures.

Edgar Wutscher, Vice President of the Medical Association, is surprised by the announcements in the media instead of a dialogue with the medical profession. He emphasizes the importance of well -thought -out concepts so as not to overload general medicine. Dietmar Bayer, deputy federal spoke chairman of the resident doctors, warns of quick shots that could endanger the health system and demands that the service providers to be included in the planning.

measures and future prospects

HUSS emphasizes that the planned measures are not to be understood as a savings program and that decisive steps towards better control of patient steering should. He plans to get together intensively with the federal states and medical associations. The first pilot tests are scheduled to start in the federal states of Styria, Upper Austria and Salzburg in 2026. The inspiration for these models comes from Scandinavian countries and the Netherlands, which have already implemented similar systems.

The variety of opinions on the planned changes shows how sensitive and complex the topic of patient steering is. It remains to be seen how the discussion will develop and whether a consensus between the actors involved can be achieved.