GKV CEO Proposes New GP Appointment System via Health Insurance App
Oliver Blatt, CEO of the GKV association, has proposed a new system for common app appointments. Patients would first use a health insurance app for an initial assessment, potentially reducing unnecessary visits. Federal Minister of Health Nina Warken supports this, planning to introduce a binding 'primary care system' with guaranteed appointments.
Blatt acknowledges concerns about feeling patronized but stresses that this system would lead to faster appointments for those who genuinely need them. Through the app, patients could decide if a GP visit is necessary or if a pharmacy visit would suffice. The GKV association demands reforms to improve common app scheduling efficiency.
The proposed neutral platform would allocate appointment slots based on need, not insurance status. Blatt suggests that digital pre-assessment may help some realize they could have managed without a doctor's visit. The app could also directly book an appointment with the GP and, if necessary, facilitate referral to specialists with available appointment slots. This aligns with the coalition agreement's plans for a 'widespread possibility of a structured initial assessment via digital routes in connection with telemedicine'.
The GKV association's proposal aims to streamline GP appointment scheduling. With a digital initial assessment, patients could better understand their needs, reducing unnecessary visits. Minister Warken's planned 'primary care system' with guaranteed appointments supports this approach, promising improved healthcare efficiency.
