(de-news.net) – As part of ongoing deliberations concerning the restructuring of Germany’s statutory healthcare system, members of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group have reportedly proposed the introduction of a 200-euro fee for patients who choose to consult medical specialists without prior referral from a general practitioner. Deputy parliamentary group leader Albert Stegemann (CDU) is said to have argued that such a financial disincentive would reinforce the intended regulatory function of the proposed primary care model.
Stephan Pilsinger, health policy spokesperson for the CSU, has likewise endorsed targeted charges for individuals who circumvent general practitioner coordination. He reportedly advocated that patients engaging in non-essential specialist consultations should bear the associated costs. While opposing the introduction of a general practice fee—on the grounds that it would disproportionately affect chronically ill patients—he emphasized the necessity of reserving specialist appointments for cases of substantive medical need.
A nationwide survey commissioned by the German Association of General Practitioners revealed significant public concern regarding the future viability of healthcare provision amid demographic shifts. Of the 5,000 respondents, 72 percent expressed apprehension that an ageing population could compromise access to both general and specialist care. Furthermore, 73 percent indicated that the federal government had not accorded sufficient priority to healthcare policy relative to other domains, while 62 percent supported structural reforms—even if such changes required adjustments in patient behavior.
The survey also highlighted generational differences in reform receptivity: 70 percent of respondents aged 65 and above expressed support for systemic change, compared to 53 percent among younger cohorts. Additionally, 63 percent of participants endorsed GP-led care models, provided these improved service quality, and half of all respondents stated they would accept treatment from non-physician professionals for minor ailments, contingent upon physician oversight.
In August, the German Association of General Practitioners issued a categorical rejection of proposals to implement a general contact fee for medical consultations. According to media reports, Association Chair Nicola Buhlinger-Göpfarth described the measure as socially inequitable and warned that it could deter patients from seeking necessary medical attention. She particularly emphasized the adverse impact such a fee would have on individuals with chronic conditions requiring frequent treatment, cautioning that the policy could result in delayed care and exacerbate health outcomes.
