Overview

• Under the proposed primary care system, patients with unclear symptoms must first consult a general practitioner before seeing a specialist.
• Bundesärztekammer president Klaus Reinhardt supports GP coordination but cautions that strict referral timelines risk straining existing practices.
• Psychotherapists warn the new requirement could delay mental health treatment and discourage patients from seeking help.
• Warken’s reform package includes introducing bagatelle thresholds for physician audits and simplifying hospital administrative procedures.
• Officials plan to bolster digital infrastructure through broader ePA use and AI applications to reduce documentation burdens and improve patient triage.