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Implications of the EU Patients’ Rights Directive in Cross-Border Healthcare on the German Sickness Fund System

In: Health Care Provision and Patient Mobility

Author

Listed:
  • Mathias Kifmann

    (Universität Hamburg, Hamburg Center for Health Economics)

  • Caroline Wagner

    (Wissenschaftliches Institut der Techniker Krankenkasse für Nutzen und Effizienz im Gesundheitswesen (WINEG), (Scientific Institute of Techniker Krankenkasse for Benefit and Efficiency in Health Care))

Abstract

We examine the implications of the EU directive on the application of patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare on the German sickness fund system. Since Germany implemented most requirements of the directive already in 2004, we first review Germany’s experience with EU cross-border healthcare. We then focus on the possible effects of increased EU cross-border healthcare. While this gives patients more choice, the German sickness fund system faces a number of challenges. EU cross-border care may undermine efforts to keep healthcare expenditure under control. Cross-border care can also increase inequality of access. Furthermore, promoting cross-border care can be a means for sickness funds to attract good risks. We discuss these challenges and point out possible policy responses.

Suggested Citation

  • Mathias Kifmann & Caroline Wagner, 2014. "Implications of the EU Patients’ Rights Directive in Cross-Border Healthcare on the German Sickness Fund System," Developments in Health Economics and Public Policy, in: Rosella Levaggi & Marcello Montefiori (ed.), Health Care Provision and Patient Mobility, edition 127, pages 49-66, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:dehchp:978-88-470-5480-6_3
    DOI: 10.1007/978-88-470-5480-6_3
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Diesenreiter, Carina & Österle, August, 2021. "Patients as EU citizens? The implementation and corporatist stakeholders’ perceptions of the EU cross-border health care directive in Austria," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 125(11), pages 1498-1505.
    2. Hermann Sinz & Johanna Kostenzer & Siegfried Walch, 2015. "Future health care managers and the need for an international and interprofessional learning experience ? the case of a summer school on cross-border health care," International Journal of Teaching and Education, International Institute of Social and Economic Sciences, vol. 3(2), pages 31-49, June.
    3. repec:sek:jijote:v:3:y:2015:i:2:p:30-48 is not listed on IDEAS

    More about this item

    Keywords

    EU patients’ right directive; EU cross-border healthcare; Physician payment; Expenditure control;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration
    • H51 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Health
    • I13 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Insurance, Public and Private
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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