A special feature in the regulation of medical services of the german health care system is the important role, alongside that of the legislature, played by the selfgoverning bodies of service providers and health insurance funds. Comparisons of health care systems in the united states. A key feature of the health care delivery system in germany is the clear institutional separation between public health services, ambulatory care and hospital inpatient care. Major events such as policies and organizations are included. People actually receiving health care, and in some countries. Explore facts about health care quality in european and scandinavian countries like italy, france, norway and more. The german healthcare system expat guide to germany. The hits are a key element of the work of the european observatory on health systems and policies.
Since 2007, around 30 indicators are made public in annual, mandatory hospital quality reports. Two americans share their experiences with health care in germany. A socialist model healthcare system is adopted in east germany, while selfadministration is reinstated in west germany in 1952. Under this system, more than 150 indicators are measured for 30 indications covering about onesixth of all inpatients in germany. Health care systems of germany name institution abstract this essay is a presentation of the health care system in germany.
This information describes the organizations that are involved in the health care system, the systems structure, and how it has changed over time. The german healthcare system expat guide to germany expatica. Characteristics of the system are free choice of providers and unrestricted access to all care levels. It highlighted 4 key areas of the health care system. The german statutory health insurance system was built on the defining principles of solidarity and. January 2016 of health care systems 2015 international. The german health care system ghcs faces many challenges among which an aging population and economic problems are just a few. Progress could be made to promote more efficient use of resources, strengthen primary care, address high pharmaceutical spending and prevent the spread of risk factors such as harmful. The health care system in germany is based on four basic principles. Germany has a universal multipayer health care system paid for by a combination of statutory health insurance gesetzliche krankenversicherung and private. It offers a wide range of choices, extensive coverage and professional medical treatment. Those working in the hospitals are employed by the hospitals i. Health insurers will cover most of the costs of treatments and examinations. Finally, regulators set the rules for how the health care and insurance market is organized, and table 2.
The overview covers delivery of health care in hospitals, public clinics and private clinics. Responsibility for the health care system in germany is shared between the lander states, the. Although rich people pay more into the health care in germany to subsidize the poor, this system is very successful. Health care in germany offers high quality care for all. Toytown germany is a very active forum for expats in germany and a great resource for health insurance queries if you find yourself a bit stuck. May 06, 2015 the german health care system is selfadministrating and is operated by many institutions and players. Health care in germany germany healthcare comparison working in germany objective 3 topics 2. Planning, resource allocation, provision and financing are separate for ambulatory office.
Health care is now mainly financed through a centrallycollected tax set at 8% of taxable income and earmarked for health. This information describes the organizations that are involved in the health care system, the system s structure, and how it has changed over time. Germany has a universal multipayer heath care system. German health care system enjoys a reputation as one of the best in the world. This aetna international guide will help you to familiarise yourself with public health services, standards of care and other useful information about health care in europe and scandinavia.
Six classes of agents in every health insurance system consumers. Comparisons of health insurance systems in developed countries randall p. Contextual background health care system characteristics 1. Comparisons of health insurance systems in developed countries. The other 10 % are covered by private insurance or special schemes. If youre still overwhelmed at the thought of finding a doctor near you, try the official kbv website.
Unlike in canada and europe, where a single payer system is the norm, the united states possess a multiplayer system in which a variety of third party payers, including the federal and state governments and commercial health insurance companies are responsible for reimbursing health care providers. Statuary health insurance shi and private health insurance phi. The german health care system has undergone a series of recent and. Germany might be talking about it, but our neighbors are already one step ahead. Germany, health care systems in transition 2004 whoeurope. It is a formula that resonates across the political spectrum and which, in various.
Public social health insurance shi is compulsory for people earning up to around 48,000 per year, including dependents who are. Specifically, the canadian health care system outperforms germanys in seven of seventeen measures examined. The german health care system provides universal coverage. Pdf the foundation of germanys healthcare system is derived from germanys basic law grundgesetz, which obliges the state to provide social. Introduction the german statutory health insurance system is recognised as one of the prototypes of modern health system configurations. Everybody residing in germany is obliged to take out health insurance. The german healthcare system is a dual publicprivate system that dates back to the 1880s, making it the oldest in europe.
A major administrative reform in 2007 gave the central government responsibility for financing health care. Health insurance in germany is confusing, especially for newcomers. Health care system in germany, health care is based on a decentralized and self governing system run by a number of different players. We cover all the basics of the german healthcare system in an introductory overview of how the system works. Health care systems in transition foreword t he health care systems in transition hit pro. Comparisons of health insurance systems in developed. Apr 02, 2017 health care system in germany, health care is based on a decentralized and self governing system run by a number of different players. In addition, the division into statutory and private health insurance remains one of the largest challenges for the german health care system, as it.
Why should we as americans consider features of the german system in crafting our own health care reform. It remains to be seen whether the reforms will achieve those. The german health care system is selfadministrating and is operated by many institutions and players. The statutory health insurance, the socalled gesetzliche krankenversicherunggkv, occupies a central position in the healthcare system in the federal republic of germany. After german reunification, former east germany assimilates to the frg healthcare system. Germany probably has the most restrictionfree and consumeroriented health care system in europe.
German healthcare system overview key characteristics. The who country health profile of germany provides key statistics and links to health topical databases, plus news, features and bulletin journal articles on the health issues of the country. January 2016 of health care systems 2015 international profiles. The fourth chapter identifies empirically different types of health care systems. All hit country profiles are available in pdf format on. Everyone must have statutory health insurance gesetzliche krankenversicherung gkv provided that their gross earnings are under a fixed limit versicherungspflichtgrenze. Key vital functions of health care system world health report 2000 1. The healthcare system in germany is highlyrated, with the legatum prosperity index ranking it at 12th in the world based on basic physical and mental health, health infrastructure and preventative care. Healthcare outcomes include amenable mortality, readmission, and patient experience. But its still not that easy to navigate the german health care system. A new study reveals the areas for and extent of potential improvements. It is not an example of a national health service, as in the united kingdom, nor is it an instance of a governmentrun health care system like the united.
About 88% of the population are covered by statutory health insurance, which is compulsory for all with a gross income of less than 5,062 eur per month. German child protection system since then, the legal definition has been subject to many changes, but is still the key concept used in child protection in germany. Document format pdf and can be read with adobe acrobat 7 or adobe. Health care expenditure per capita by source of funding, 2008. The french health care system is a model of national health insurance nhi that provides health care coverage to all legal residents. In the german system, doctors strictly control access to hospital care and genrally work either in hospitals or in private practices. Countries with the best healthcare systems in the world have scores between 9096.
Germanys health system provides good access to care for all patients. In the words of rene dubos, health is primarily a measure of each persons ability to do and. The ghcs traditionally emphasised equity, universal coverage, ready. The german health care system is divided into three main areas. Germany s health care system has its origins in the mutual aid societies created in the early 19 th century. The child health care system of germany sciencedirect. Specifically, the canadian health care system outperforms germany s in seven of seventeen measures examined. The health system offers a generous benefit basket, high levels of service provision and good access to care. Introduction the german health care system has undergone a series of recent and controversial changes, 1implemented in an attempt to improve competition within the health sector and reduce its spiralling cost to the government. Comparing the german and american health care systems.
In march, i traveled to germany with a group of university of michigan health management and policy students to learn more about the german health care system and how it compares to the health care system in the us. In the statutory health insurance system the major decisionmaking body is the federal joint. Health care system definition of health care system by. Does not require an organized health care system user fee. Table 1 access to health care reported by sicker patients in three countries, 20057. Stats germany untied states life expectancy men life expectancy women 78 years ranked 16th.
Understanding the german health care system going international. Overview of healthcare in germany the german healthcare system. Both public and private health insurance are available. A key feature of the health care delivery system in germany is the clear institutional separation between public health services, ambulatory care and hospital. It then investigates the links between policy settings and health care system efficiency. May 08, 2014 health care lessons from germany published on may 8, 2014 the german health care system has been recognized as one that provides good quality care with attentive service in which wait times are not considered to be a problem, as well as a system that rapidly adopts new medical innovations. Digitizing healthcareopportunities for germany mckinsey. Organisation responsibility for the health care system in germany is shared between the lander states, the. Germany s spending on health care is relatively high, just over 11% of its wealth, compared to 9. In the european health consumer index of 2009, it was ranked sixth of 33 national health care systems. The healthcare system is regulated by the federal joint committee gemeinsamer bundesausschuss, a public health organization authorized to make binding regulations growing out of health reform bills passed by lawmakers, along with routine decisions regarding healthcare in germany.
The german system of social benefits is based on the concept of social insurance as embodied in the principle of social solidarity. Bamako initiative 1987 decentralize health care to the district level, essential drugs supported by the world bank through 1980s this is the basic system to pay for health care services and dominates developing countries. The berlin treaty of 19 regulated for the first time the number of insured per statutory health insurance hereaf ter also shi physician with one doctor per 1. Today its doctors, specialists, and facilities make it one of the very best healthcare systems in the world. That was the impulse behind creating this information on health care in germany. The foundation carries out this mandate by supporting independent research on health care issues and making grants to improve health care practice and policy. The vast majority of germany s population 90% get coverage from statutory health insurance hereafter shi. Germany has a multiplepayer universal care system in which shi plays a predominant role be cause it covers the vast majority of the population. It is the oldest and most established of universal health care methods. By digitizing the system, health services can be provided at lower cost and higher quality. Earners in the higher income bracket, freelancers and civil servants can opt out of the public system and buy fullcover private health insurance. The german health insurance system is not as costeffective as in some of germanys neighbouring countries, which, given present expenditure levels, indicates a need to improve efficiency and value for patients. Applied improvement and research in health care aqua. Reinhard busse, european observatory on health systems and policies and department of health care management, berlin university of technology miriam blumel, department of health care management, berlin university of technology germany.
The german health system is characterised by high levels of human and physical resources guaranteeing good access to care with a low direct financial burden. Department of health care management, berlin university of technology miriam blumel, department of health care management, berlin university of technology germany. This is a timeline of healthcare in germany, focusing on modern healthcare system first adopted in this country. From the perspective of a native american, the german health care system is actually a perfect one.
1521 1149 147 1600 1642 1205 577 1352 262 1568 369 1522 973 1379 99 1475 919 30 190 1267 255 89 357 1074 244 14 856 165 634 359 737 1495 549 551 843 64 241 555 1010 921 6 758 876 648