Brandenburg Faces Dispute Over Ambulance Costs as Insurers Push for New Fee System

Health insurers and local governments clash over funding for ambulance services, with potential cost burdens looming for residents.

Health insurers in Brandenburg are urging local governments to adopt a new cost calculation system for ambulance services to avoid charging residents directly.
The dispute centers on insurers refusing to cover 'empty trips,' where ambulances are dispatched but hospital transport is not required.
Currently, in eight districts, insurers only pay fixed amounts due to a lack of agreement on cost-sharing methods.
Some districts, like Märkisch-Oderland, have proposed passing part of the costs onto residents if no resolution is reached.
Health Minister Britta Müller has warned local governments against issuing fee notices to residents, emphasizing that the conflict should not affect patients.