Abstracts by key term: Direct contracts
The German healthcare system is in a “financial crisis”. The expenditure on services is constantly increasing due to demographic change and the possibilities of medical progress. At the same time, the number of contributors is decreasing. Politicians have been trying to address the existing financing gap for years through “cost containment laws”. The introduction of competitive elements is a starting point for solving the existing problem.
23.09.2012
Health and health care is and will increasingly be characterized by direct contracts. This is particularly true if the service providers use direct contracts with the additional instruments made available to them in order to overcome the sector boundary. From the patient's perspective, it may be a great advantage that the same doctors carry out the pre- and post-hospital treatment as well as the in-patient treatment themselves. Quality improvements and the development of efficiency reserves can also result for service providers in the healthcare system. The approach of improving the statutory health insurance system and consolidating it financially through competition and breaking through traditional structures appears promising.