ÖGK General Contract: Negotiations to Continue in Autumn

Following a preliminary report by the Court of Audit, the discussion about an ÖGK general contract was revived, after which the fund made appointment proposals that are to be accepted by the Medical Association. Despite the merger of the regional health insurance funds into the ÖGK, different doctor contracts still exist depending on the federal state. This leads to some services, such as mole checks, being chargeable in some federal states but not in others. In addition, the fees for health insurance doctors for the same services vary depending on the federal state.

Discussions on ÖGK General Contract Failed in Health Reform 2023

The Medical Association again referred to a uniform service catalog it developed back in 2020. So far, nothing has happened on the part of the ÖGK. The draft includes the highest possible rates, a spokesperson for the fund said. As early as 2023, negotiations for a general contract failed because the medical associations demanded harmonization based on the highest rates, which would have led to high additional costs. At that time, they were already "relatively far" along.

In the course of the health reform developed in 2023 under Health Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens), the Medical Association was able to prevail on some points. Thus, neither an end date for the conclusion of the general contract nor the possibility for social insurance to conclude individual contracts with doctors was established. The chamber had previously strongly opposed the reform and threatened a contractless state.

Since then, it has been said that work is being done on a general contract. However, not everyone was satisfied with this: a year ago, for example, Vorarlberg's Health Councillor Martina Rüscher (ÖVP) and the Vorarlberg Medical Association spoke out against a general contract. They feared a leveling down of fees and thus a shift from the health insurance system to the elective doctor system.

Power of the Regional Medical Associations in Focus

Recently, an unpublished preliminary report by the Court of Audit, cited by ORF and "profil," again drew attention to the issue. In it, the auditors recommended disempowering the regional medical associations - their approval of the general contract should no longer be necessary. Currently, in addition to the Austrian Medical Association, the regional counterparts must also give their approval, which, according to the auditors, makes reform more difficult. Health State Secretary Ulrike Königsberger-Ludwig (SPÖ) emphasized the aim of reaching an agreement with all parties involved. However, at the end of the negotiations, a legislative initiative could also be on the table, following the recommendations of the Court of Audit.

The fund's goal is now to present a nationwide remuneration model with uniform rates by mid-2026. In other areas, nationwide uniform contracts have already been concluded, the ÖGK emphasized - for example, for midwives or physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

(APA/Red)

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