Deficit of the ÖGK Exceeded Expectation

The deficit of the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK) was even larger than expected last year, amounting to 551.6 million euros. This corresponds to a share of 2.7 percent of the total budget of 20.8 billion euros, as revealed by the ÖGK's financial statement published on Wednesday. The intensive use of medical services and the challenging overall economic conditions are held responsible for this.

ÖGK Expected a Deficit of 481 Million Euros

In November of the previous year, the ÖGK had anticipated a loss of 481 million euros or 2.4 percent of the total budget. The ÖGK emphasized in a statement on Wednesday that only two percent of the contributions were spent on administration and organization. A total of 6.6 billion was invested in the outpatient sector last year, 5.7 billion in inpatient care in hospitals, and around 4 billion for medication supply. 1.1 billion was allocated to financial benefits such as sick pay, and another 750 million to parental benefits such as maternity allowance and midwifery assistance.

A significant deficit is also expected for the current year in the ÖGK. To reduce the projected shortfall of 906.7 million euros in the latest financial forecast, savings measures have been implemented. The next financial forecast will be published in mid-August.

(APA/Red)

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