Cost-Cutting Measures Topic at ÖGK
The Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK) needs to save money in light of its increasing deficit and will discuss corresponding measures on Tuesday. Not only in administration should the belt be tightened, but patients are also likely to feel the economic and demographic-driven need for consolidation. Thus, patient management in accessing specialists and expensive services is to become stricter, which is initially to be tested in three federal states.
ÖGK General Assembly in the Afternoon
Consultations will take place in the morning in the ÖGK's board of directors, and in the afternoon, the general assembly will convene. Decisions are expected, although it is still unclear when the approximately 7.5 million insured persons of Austria's by far largest statutory health insurance will feel these. Further possible restrictions could occur with more expensive CT and MRI examinations or with patient transport.
ÖGK Expects a Deficit of 906 Million Euros
The fund also expects concessions from its contractual partners, such as general practitioners, as well as from the federal states. In its own area, it plans not to fill every second retirement and to cut back on investments. For this year, the ÖGK expects a deficit of 906 million euros, according to the latest published forecast. Peter McDonald (ÖVP), who shares the chairmanship of the ÖGK in a half-year rotation with Andreas Huss (SPÖ), has set the goal of bringing the fund back towards a balanced budget as early as 2026.
(APA/Red)
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