ÖGK Chairman Demands Fee Cap for Private Doctors

"We see that private doctors really demand 10 to 15 times the insurance rate, which is truly unacceptable." The Medical Association rejected the proposal.

He therefore calls for - following the German model - "a cap on private doctor fees, private medical fees," said Huss on Ö1's "Morning Journal" on Monday. "In Germany, it is two and a half times the insurance rate. I would like to bring this into the political discussion." That a private doctor can charge more than the insurance rate, "that's OK." "But it cannot grow indefinitely, there needs to be an upper limit."

Medical Association with Clear Rejection of Caps

Clear rejection came from Medical Association official Edgar Wutscher. He also denied, according to Ö1, that private doctors demand ten to 15 times the insurance rate. "That now Mr. Huss is trying to alienate the last upright ones who are competent in private medical care - I deny the statement. That is false and not true."

The chairman of the federal couriers of general practitioners is also against setting a cap on private doctor fees: "We are a free medical profession and it is the doctor himself and no one else who has the right to issue a bill that suits him in its amount." If it is really too high, it can be challenged at the Medical Association, he explained according to Ö1.

Concern for the freedom of the profession was also expressed on Monday by the Vienna Chamber President Johannes Steinhart: "Private doctors significantly contribute to relieving the social insurance and public hospitals - through quick appointment scheduling, intensive consultation time, and thorough clinical examinations, private doctors maintain the security of care and ensure a high level of trust." The capping of fees could ultimately endanger medical care.

SVS for Cost Transparency

Rejection also came from the Social Insurance for the Self-Employed (SVS). "Fee regulations for private doctors will not improve cooperation and the offer," Chairman Peter Lehner was quoted in a statement. Private doctors would increase flexibility and expand the offer of the insurance system. "It would be sensible to have transparency of costs for individual services." Social insurances and the medical profession must "work together for the best possible care," said Lehner. Insured persons should have clarity and cost transparency even before visiting the doctor.

Greens Insist on Comprehensive Agreement

"A cap unfortunately does not change the core of the problem," responded Green health spokesperson Ralph Schallmeiner in a statement to the proposal. Fundamentally, such a cap is a way to relieve patients. "But the debate falls short: Our goal must be sufficient insurance places - so that no one is forced to seek private doctors," said Schallmeiner. A nationwide uniform comprehensive agreement is needed: "Both the ÖGK and the Medical Association must finally deliver." Both sides have been negotiating the comprehensive agreement for two years, and an agreement is expected by the middle of next year.

(APA/Red)

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