International doctor's office in Dresden concludes: What does that mean for patients?

International doctor's office in Dresden concludes: What does that mean for patients?

In a crucial turn for the medical care of refugees and migrants in Saxony, the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KV) Saxony has decided to close international practice in Dresden by the end of this year. Dr. Sylvia Krug, the deputy chairman of the CEO of KV Sachsen, said that this decision was made under severe considerations. Above all, the focus is on increasing costs and a declining need. The decline of 12,700 patients treated in 2016 to only 4,100 in 2023 illustrates the changed landscape of medical care in Dresden, such as pharmacy adhoc.de The international practices were originally launched in 2015 when the number of incoming refugees in Germany increased significantly. In view of the current situation, however, the KV Saxony is optimistic that the existing medical practices in Dresden can take over the care for migrants. Many of the patients already have a permanent residence in Germany and are usually insured by law, which reduces the dependence on special practices. The closure goes hand in hand with the conversion of international practice in Chemnitz, which will continue to be continued as a separate facility of the KV Saxony, since the need for general practitioning care is still high.

financial challenges and supply network

The closure of the practice in Dresden is not only a sign of change, but also the result of financial difficulties. The KV Saxony has explained that the existing funds and fee income are no longer sufficient to cover the increasing personnel and material costs. This development is regretted by the Saxon Minister of Health Petra Köpping, who, however, respects the decision of the KV and thanks the participants for their commitment. It should be emphasized that the administrative agreements between the KV and the Free State of Saxony as well as the cities to the end of the year guarantee residual cost financing of up to 250,000 euros per practice. This underpins the urgently needed transitional arrangement for the time after the international practice in Dresden, as Zeit.de.

The KV Saxony ensures that medical care for patients with a migration background will continue to be guaranteed in the future. In this context, there are extensive legal regulations that regulate the right to medical care for refugees and asylum seekers. These foundations are anchored in §§ 4 and 6 of the Asylum Competitive Performance Act (AsylbLG), which play an important role in ensuring medical care. In addition, asylum seekers who live in Germany for more than 36 months can even get an electronic health card, which makes their access to medical services considerably easier, as can be found on kvsachsen.de.

The future of medical care

The changes in the patient structure are also noticeable. The majority of the former patients of the international practices have been living in Germany for several years now and is often legally insured. The decline in treatment figures shows that practice is no longer considered as necessary. The KV promises that all the necessary steps are taken to ensure that the medical care of migrants is also passed on after the closure of international practice.

The fate of international practice in Dresden is an example of the numerous challenges that the health system faces in Germany. In view of the ongoing financial burdens and the changing needs, it remains to be seen how the integration and care of migrants in Saxony can be further designed in the future.