The Austrian Medical Chamber has proposed a ten-point reform plan to address the ÖGK’s significant financial challenges, emphasizing the need to improve healthcare services rather than cutting them, as projected deficits exceed one billion euros.
The Austrian Medical Chamber has introduced a ten-point reform plan to address the financial challenges facing the ÖGK (Austrian Health Insurance Fund). With projected deficits ranging from 800 million to over a billion euros, the President of the Medical Chamber has stressed the urgency of the situation and the importance of protecting patient care. The plan seeks to take advantage of potential synergies from the recent merger of health funds, rather than implementing cuts to medical services.
The ÖGK is grappling with fiscal difficulties driven by economic downturns, rising unemployment, and changing demographics. However, the President has criticized the organization for its failure to tackle internal structural issues and to realize efficiencies from the merger. Medical professionals have already been making sacrifices to maintain care under an increasingly strained healthcare system, and further contributions from them are not seen as a viable solution. Proposals for a solidarity contribution are viewed as counterproductive, risking the retention of current healthcare practitioners and deterring new physicians from entering the public healthcare sector. The workforce is particularly vulnerable as many members are nearing retirement age, raising concerns about the sustainability of services for Austria’s population of over nine million.
The Medical Chamber argues that enhancing medical services should remain the focus, especially considering that these services constitute only about 15% of the ÖGK’s total expenses in 2023, which also includes costs for COVID-related reimbursements and government-funded initiatives. The proposed reforms aim to restore financial health without adding burdens on healthcare providers or patients.
Key strategies outlined in the proposal include:
- Appointing an external crisis manager to drive financial recovery.
- Developing a real estate strategy to optimize resources, as recommended by the Court of Auditors.
- Reviewing and possibly closing underperforming ÖGK facilities.
- Pausing the establishment of new outpatient clinics until financial issues are resolved.
- Ensuring transparency in recruitment for higher management positions.
- Transferring rehabilitation facilities to the Pension Insurance Authority to eliminate overlap.
- Consolidating IT services among healthcare organizations.
- Strengthening oversight to prevent mismanagement.
- Conducting comprehensive financial reviews for coordinated procurement and shared IT services.
- Rethinking financing strategies, including exploring temporary government funding through adjusted contribution rates.
This strategic framework aims to ensure the ÖGK can provide quality care while navigating its financial challenges.
