Stability package for stable contributions - Too many sick notes? - Health Minister Warken Unveils 2-Billion-Euro Savings Plan to Prevent Health Contribution Rise in 2026
Federal Minister of Health Nina Warken (CDU) is set to unveil a two-billion-euro savings package to prevent health insurance contributions from rising in 2026. The plan includes measures to tackle unnecessary sick leave and optimize healthcare spending.
A significant portion of the savings, around one billion euros, is expected to come from a regulation limiting clinic remuneration increases. The head of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, Andreas Gassen, proposes reducing unnecessary doctor's visits by requiring sick leave certificates only after the fourth or fifth day of illness. This could save the healthcare system 1.4 million working hours or 100 million euros annually, as about a third of sick leave certificates last only three days.
The savings package also aims to cut administration costs of statutory health insurers and fund health research, each by 100 million euros. The Federal Ministry of Health is considering various measures to achieve this, such as reducing personnel costs through planned staff vacancies and optimizing patient data management via electronic records. The cabinet is expected to make a virtual decision on the package at the last minute before an important financial forecast for health insurers in 2026.
The health insurers will determine the specific additional contribution for their insured persons by 1 November, based on the average additional contribution determined by the ministry. The savings package seeks to keep the additional contribution stable by curbing spending on clinics. The question of whether these measures will bring average expenditure in line with average income in 2026 will be discussed by an expert committee.
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