A representative of the Federal Association of Paediatricians has suggested that patients in Germany be charged up to 100 euros if they fail to show up to a doctor’s appointment.

BVKJ mulls charging patients for missed appointments

Speaking to tabloid newspaper Bild, Jakob Maske of the Federal Association of Paediatricians (BVKJ) has suggested that German doctors begin charging patients up to 100 euros for missing a booked appointment.

“It should no longer be acceptable that patients book appointments but don’t turn up,” Maske told the newspaper, adding that other patients who need urgent care miss out as a result. “To sensitise patients to this, a cancellation fee of up to 100 euros, depending on the length of the scheduled appointment, is necessary.”

All residents in Germany are obliged to pay social security contributions, which include contributions to health insurance. Currently, patients are not charged for appointments with the doctor or dentist, or for missing any booked appointments, but they do pay for specific prescriptions or treatments.

Andreas Gassen, a representative from the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV), suggested that a missed appointment fee of between 10 and 20 euros be introduced to combat the problem. However, he believes that health insurance providers, rather than patients, should be billed for the fine.

10 to 20 percent of doctors’ appointments are missed in Germany

According to Gassen, 10 to 20 percent of scheduled doctors’ appointments are missed in Germany. This is despite the fact that it can be relatively difficult for all kinds of patients to get a timely appointment.

A recent study by German consumer organisation Stiftung Warentest found that just 30 percent of patients covered by statutory health insurance and 58 percent of those covered by private health insurance report being able to get a doctor’s appointment within one month.

As part of the CDU and SPD’s ongoing coalition negotiations, a healthcare working group is discussing solutions to reduce appointment waiting times, the dpa has reported. The working group is currently proposing a “binding primary doctor system”, whereby patients cannot directly seek out a specialist doctor, but must be referred by their GP.

The incoming coalition hopes the new system will mean better-targeted care, leading to reduced appointment waiting times.

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