Plädoyer für eine reformierte Dualität

Abstract

Abstract The German private health insurance (PKV) was discredited by the media in the past. The dual system in Germany should have caused a “Two- Class-Medicine” or the PKVs aging reserves had been exhausting during the financial meltdown are preconceptions and knowledge gaps which need a rectification. The high financial proportion (10 Billion Euros per year) of private insureds provides a double financing base and ensures a supply of doctors and specialists located nearby. In international comparison of insurance schemes the German healthcare system achieves a high level of performance at acceptable costs. Due to its aging reserves the private health insurance is better prepared for the demographic development than the statutory health insurance (GKV). Due to the GKV’s simple pay-as-you-go system it is, however, not able to present a satisfactory solution for this matter. Increasing numbers of private insureds are evidence of the German customers’ confidence in the insurance system. In order to keep the customers’ acceptance in future, the PKV must make progress and move forwards. Criticism on offering tariffs which in some scopes are below the GKV’s performance level, the insurance companies can best counter and combat by improving their products. Other reforms, such as the reform of the basis tariff, a solution of the matter with non-payers and the new edition of the standard tariff need the legislators’ support.