SpiFa calls for reform at the outpatient-inpatient interface

11.02.2022 13:12

The leading association of specialist doctors in Germany (SpiFa) is pushing for a solution to the care problems at the outpatient-inpatient interface and is offering its concept to the federal government as a common basis for discussion for reform.

The problems at the outpatient-inpatient sector boundary have been on SpiFa's political agenda for a long time. This means that it is hardly possible for specialists to work in a legally secure manner across sector boundaries, although this is necessary for good patient care. Innovative care concepts, for example, are not incorporated into standard care. Accordingly, SpiFa welcomes the Federal Government's initiative to introduce sector-level remuneration using a new DRG hybrid form.

“Patients need optimal health care, regardless of questions of benefit law, the catalog of services or remuneration. The isolation of sector boundaries driven by these questions must finally be overcome through sector-connecting supply structures. The introduction of a new DRG hybrid form, which the federal government is aiming for, could be an adequate means for this,” explains Dr. Helmut Weinhart, 2nd deputy chairman of SpiFa.

In this context, SpiFa refers to its existing “concept for the structure and remuneration of intersectoral medical services”. This concept was discussed some time ago in the ranks of the SpiFa member associations and was unanimously approved. Board member Jörg Karst says: “If you want to quickly and promptly implement good patient care at the outpatient-inpatient interface, this concept has all the necessary building blocks at hand. However, any hesitation on the part of the federal government will, as before, prevent a reform and thus also slow down further reform projects such as a reform of the inpatient treatment level or the creation of cross-sector care planning.”

SpiFa general manager Robert Schneider also emphasizes the desire for reform of the German specialist medical profession: “SpiFa represents over 160,000 specialists in Germany. They have long wanted a solution to the supply problems at the outpatient-inpatient interface. Accordingly, we welcome the Federal Government's efforts to find a solution here. The SpiFa is ready to discuss and participate in the design.”