No profit is sought – entrepreneurs now want to operate medical centers

By the end of 2030, the number of primary care centres (PVE) should grow from 75 to 300, according to the ambitious plan of the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK). Although Vienna is the Austrian leader in terms of the number of PVEs, expansion is proceeding slowly. There are currently 23 locations and three more have been advertised. The deadline for applications for them is mid-October. Another six are under discussion. The ÖGK confirmed in response to a ‘Krone’ request that there should be 36 centres in Vienna by 2025.

Also economic risks
But sometimes there are high hurdles. Despite generous financing and support in setting up a business, there are also economic risks for PVE operators. And not every doctor is a born entrepreneur. The search for real estate can also sometimes be difficult. So the expansion is stagnating. The association is now lending a helping hand to politics. The Viennese architect Victor Löffler also has this experience: “I developed two primary care centers for doctors. That’s when I got to know the PVE system. And also the challenges.” Together with management consultant Paul Mitteröcker and others, Löffler founded the PVE association – an association of non-profit providers of health and social services.

The association now wants to give politics a helping hand
The goal: “Finally bringing medical care to the population in the 21st century.” From now on, the association wants to support politicians in achieving the goal of 300 primary care facilities in Austria in record time. How? Löffler: “We have now registered as an operator for ÖGK tenders for primary care facilities throughout Austria.”

Entrepreneurs want to use their contacts
Discussions with doctors showed that many wanted a safe working relationship with flexible working hours. The association could offer this as the operator of the primary care centres. And this design has another advantage. Löffler: “Through close contacts with the real estate sector and entrepreneurs, we make use of synergy effects in financing and finding locations.”

Chase away foreign locusts
Does this mean that health will become a matter for wealthy investors? Löffler: “On the contrary. We are also taking this initiative because we want to prevent international companies from entering healthcare in Austria and maximizing their profits at the expense of patients. Every cent of profit that is generated is reinvested or flows into social projects.”

In some districts there is only one (!) statutory pediatrician
A look at the number of pediatricians in Vienna shows why the current initiative is so important. The population is growing, but the number of statutory health insurance providers is decreasing. There is a huge need for catching up in Vienna, especially in the area of ​​care for children and young people, says the Medical Association. “Doctors in the solidarity-based health care system are increasingly reaching their limits, and general practices often take over the treatment of small patients in order to maintain care, even though this area is already at its limits,” says Vice President Naghme Kamaleyan-Schmied.

Coverage very uneven
The availability of statutory pediatricians varies greatly depending on the district. In Penzing, for example, there is only one cash office and that for over 90,000 inhabitants. The same applies in the inner city, in Mariahilf, Neubau and Josefstadt. Most pediatricians (14) can be found in the Danube city. In Floridsdorf, where only about 20,000 fewer people live, there are only six (see graph above).

ÖGK refers to advertised positions
The Austrian Regional Health Insurance Fund drew attention to the shortage last year and is keen to counteract it with primary care facilities for children (PVE). “In 2023, nine children’s PVEs were advertised, six of which are already in operation (two each in the 10th and 22nd districts and one each in the 16th and 23rd districts). Another three – in the 9th, 13th and 18th districts – are currently in the implementation phase,” a spokesperson reported. In addition, four additional cash registers are being set up, all four of which have already been advertised.

Positions cannot be filled
However: “Vacancies in pediatrics and adolescent medicine, general medicine or gynecology can sometimes not be filled because they are no longer attractive to doctors due to the enormous workload, time pressure and reimbursements in the health insurance system,” says Kamaleyan-Schmied and calls once again for making the cash registers more attractive.