Urgent Call for Healthcare Protection: Are ‘Useless’ Medical Fees Exploiting Public System?
Berlin, Germany – December 29, 2025 – A leading patient advocate is sounding the alarm over what he calls a growing exploitation of Germany’s statutory health insurance system through the proliferation of costly, often unnecessary, self-pay medical services. Stefan Schwartze, a Federal Commissioner and SPD politician, is demanding greater protection for millions of Germans who rely on public healthcare, arguing that they are increasingly pressured into paying for services with questionable medical value.
The Rise of IGeL Services: A Two-Tiered System?
The core of the controversy lies with “IGeL” services – Individual Health Services – which are additional medical examinations not covered by statutory health insurance. While doctors defend these services as offering patients greater choice, health insurance companies and patient advocates like Schwartze have long voiced concerns about their medical necessity and high cost. “Many IGeL services are simply useless,” Schwartze told news portal “web.de News.” “They are not evidence-based and, from a medical and scientific perspective, are often not needed.”
The debate isn’t new. For years, consumer advice centers have warned that the expanding range of IGeL services makes it difficult for patients to assess their true benefit and compare prices. The issue is further complicated by reports of practices increasingly requiring IGeL services as a prerequisite for securing a timely appointment – a claim Schwartze vehemently disputes, calling for a crackdown on such practices.
Online Appointments and Unequal Access
The problem extends beyond in-person consultations. Schwartze is also pushing for stricter regulations regarding online appointment booking platforms. He argues that these platforms often prioritize patients with private insurance, leading to significantly longer wait times for those with statutory coverage. “Before making an appointment, you should not ask whether someone has statutory or private insurance,” he insists. Currently, those with statutory insurance wait, on average, twice as long for specialist appointments.
This disparity highlights a fundamental issue within Germany’s healthcare system: a two-tiered structure where access to timely care can depend on insurance status. The push for equal access is gaining momentum, fueled by concerns that the system is becoming increasingly unfair.
Financial Investors and the Commercialization of Healthcare
Adding another layer of complexity, reports indicate a growing trend of financial investors acquiring eye doctor and dental practices. These investors are reportedly seeking annual returns of around 20 percent – significantly higher than typical earnings for practicing physicians. This raises concerns about the potential for increased pressure to offer IGeL services to maximize profits, potentially at the expense of patient well-being.
The G-BA’s Role and the Future of IGeL
The Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) holds the key to determining which IGeL services might eventually be covered by statutory health insurance. However, the criteria for inclusion are stringent. Services must demonstrate medical necessity, cost-effectiveness, and scientifically proven effectiveness. Many IGeL services fail to meet these standards, remaining firmly in the self-pay category.
Recent scrutiny has even fallen on seemingly common procedures like ultrasound screenings for early cancer detection. Concerns have been raised about unnecessary anxiety caused by false positives and a lack of demonstrable benefit in certain cases.
Schwartze’s call for “sensible information and education” is a crucial step. Under the Patient Rights Act, doctors are legally obligated to explain the background and costs of IGeL services, but consumer groups argue this is often done inadequately. Empowering patients with clear, unbiased information is essential to navigating this complex landscape.
The debate surrounding IGeL services is far from over. As Germany’s healthcare system evolves, finding a balance between patient choice, medical necessity, and financial sustainability will be paramount. The pressure is mounting for policymakers to address these concerns and ensure equitable access to quality healthcare for all citizens. Stay tuned to archyde.com for continuing coverage of this developing story and in-depth analysis of the future of healthcare in Germany.
