Relief for patients

How elective doctors are now being linked to the health insurance network

There are no appointments with GPs for months on end, leaving only the elective doctor.

(Bild: P. Huber)

The shortage of doctors is driving more and more patients to elective doctors. The number of private practices has exploded over the past ten years. In order to make life easier for patients, Health Minister Johannes Rauch wants to link elective doctors more closely to ELGA and the public system. A first major step has already been taken.

This step is a great relief for patients, but an additional bureaucratic burden for doctors. Surprisingly, the health insurance fund does not expect any additional costs for the system, as it said when asked by the "Krone". But what is it all about?