Krankenversicherung: Facharzttermine auf eigene Kosten: Vorstoß des Kassenärzte-Chefs löst Kritik aus

Kassenärzte-Chef Andreas Gassen has proposed a plan to allow policyholders to pay for specialist appointments out of pocket, to streamline the process of securing a consultation. However, the proposal has drawn criticism from the SPD and Green parties. Gassen suggested that policyholders who opt for this payment option would be treated like private patients, but would have to pay the costs themselves.

He warned that cutting doctor's practice income by up to three billion euros could be a threat to their business. The SPD and Green parties have rejected the proposal, emphasizing that policyholders should not face additional costs. The Green health spokesperson, Janosch Dahmen, said the model could create a new tier of paywall medicine, causing a new class divide in healthcare.

The German Krankenkassen Association (KGV) criticized the move as "highly undemocratic and socially unjust," arguing it would particularly harm low-income and chronically ill patients who need reliable medical care. The German Patient Protection Foundation called for a more equitable distribution of costs and urged Health Minister Carsten Linnemann to establish clear legal guidelines.