Overview

• The proposed system requires patients to consult general practitioners for referrals before accessing specialists, with exceptions for ophthalmology, gynecology, and chronic illnesses.
• Patients bypassing the referral system may face additional costs, a measure intended to reduce unnecessary specialist visits.
• Supporters, including the Bundesärztekammer, highlight potential savings of up to 500 million euros annually and improved appointment availability.
• Critics, including patient advocacy groups and opposition parties, warn of overburdening general practitioners and creating barriers for patients in underserved areas.
• The plan, set for potential implementation by 2028, draws comparisons to the abolished 'Praxisgebühr,' which faced similar concerns over bureaucracy and accessibility.