Overview

• Doctors in Germany are advocating for fines of up to 100 euros for patients who miss scheduled medical appointments without prior notice.
• Missed appointments reportedly account for 10-20% of all bookings, disrupting access for other patients in need of care.
• The Kassenärztliche Bundesvereinigung (KBV) has proposed smaller fines of 10-20 euros, suggesting that health insurers cover these penalties.
• The German government is also considering a 'binding primary care system,' which would require patients to consult general practitioners before being referred to specialists.
• These measures are part of broader efforts to address healthcare inefficiencies and reduce disparities between publicly and privately insured patients.