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Key Aspects of a Sustainable Health Insurance System in Germany

Author

Listed:
  • Matthias Pelster

    (Leuphana University of Lueneburg)

  • Vera Hagemann

    (Ruhr-University Bochum)

  • Franziska Laporte Uribe

    (German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases e. V. (DZNE), DZNE site Witten)

Abstract

Background The main goals of health-care systems are to improve the health of the population they serve, respond to people’s legitimate expectations, and offer fair financing. As a result, the health system in Germany is subject to continuous adaption as well as public and political discussions about its design. Objective This paper analyzes the key challenges for the German health-care system and the underlying factors driving these challenges. We aim to identify possible solutions to put the German health-care system in a better position to face these challenges. Methods We utilize a broad array of methods to answer these questions, including a review of the published and grey literature on health-care planning in Germany, semi-structured interviews with stakeholders in the system, and an online questionnaire. Results We find that the most urgent (and manageable) aspects that merit attention are holistic hospital planning, initiatives to increase (administrative) innovation in the health-care system, incentives to increase prevention, and approaches to increase analytical quality assurance. Conclusion We found that hospital planning, innovation, quality control, and prevention, are considered to be the topics most in need of attention in the German health system.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthias Pelster & Vera Hagemann & Franziska Laporte Uribe, 2016. "Key Aspects of a Sustainable Health Insurance System in Germany," Applied Health Economics and Health Policy, Springer, vol. 14(3), pages 293-312, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:aphecp:v:14:y:2016:i:3:d:10.1007_s40258-016-0223-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s40258-016-0223-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Michael E. Porter & Clemens Guth, 2012. "Redefining German Health Care," Springer Books, Springer, edition 127, number 978-3-642-10826-6, September.
    2. William D. Savedoff & Pablo Gottret, 2008. "Governing Mandatory Health Insurance : Learning from Experience," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 6526, December.
    3. Ozegowski, Susanne & Sundmacher, Leonie, 2012. "Ensuring access to health care—Germany reforms supply structures to tackle inequalities," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 106(2), pages 105-109.
    4. Hendrik Schmitz & Nicolas R. Ziebarth, 2017. "Does Price Framing Affect the Consumer Price Sensitivity of Health Plan Choice?," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 52(1), pages 88-127.
    5. Ettelt, Stefanie & Fazekas, Mihaly & Mays, Nicholas & Nolte, Ellen, 2012. "Assessing health care planning – A framework-led comparison of Germany and New Zealand," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 106(1), pages 50-59.
    6. Siadat, Banafsheh & Stolpe, Michael, 2005. "Reforming health care finance: What can Germany learn from other countries?," Kiel Economic Policy Papers 5, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).
    7. Tenbensel, Tim & Eagle, Samantha & Ashton, Toni, 2012. "Comparing health policy agendas across eleven high income countries: Islands of difference in a sea of similarity," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 106(1), pages 29-36.
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