Patientensicherheit: Behandlungsfehler könnten Krankenkassen Milliarden kosten
Der Medizinische Dienst beziffert die möglichen Folgekosten vermeidbarer Schäden im Gesundheitssystem auf rund 31 Milliarden Euro. Doch die Hochrechnung ist umstritten.
Unavoidable medical errors could cost Germany's statutory health insurance funds billions annually, with an estimated 31 billion euros in 2025, according to the nationwide medical services organization, Medizinischer Dienst Bund. With the health insurance system facing significant financial pressure, this represents a staggering amount.
The federal health ministry projects a financing gap of around 19 billion euros for the coming year, with the "GKV-Beitragssatzstabilisierungsgesetz" aimed at tempering expenditures to prevent further increases in contribution rates. However, these 31 billion euros are not actual costs measured. The figure is based on a study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which estimates that the resulting costs of avoidable errors account for approximately 8.7 percent of healthcare spending in developed countries.
Avoidable errors can arise from treatment mistakes, misdiagnoses, incorrect medication administration, or hospital infections stemming from poor hygiene practices. Translated into current spending, the OECD's 8.7 percent estimate translates to roughly 31 billion euros of the 352 billion euros that statutory health insurers will spend on services in 2025.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
