The poor economic situation does not stop with Austrian social insurance. The relocation of patients in practices has contributed, among other things, to the increase in costs.
Not only the state finances are in Argen, the health insurance fund also gives a huge budget. Instead of the forecast 800 million, the departure already has 900 million euros. With a total budget of 21 billion euros for 2025, this corresponds to a deficit of 4.29 percent. According to the cash register, the main reasons for this development are a performance extension, the lighting of hospitals and the relocation of care to the resident area, as well as the poor economic situation, which leads to lower contributions.
Relocation from the hospital to the medical practices
The intended shift of services from the hospital area to the residents has illuminated hospitals. A total of 24 new primary nutritional units were opened in 2024. In the previous year, the ÖGK registered an increase in expenditure of 8.3 percent in the area of the contract doctor.
This development is also clear in the field of imaging diagnostics: although 17 percent fewer MR exams have been carried out in hospitals, the number of these exams for resident doctors and institutions has increased by 68 percent in recent years.
Where should be stored
Despite these performance in the resident, the ÖGK now pays nearly six billion euros to hospitals annually. The cash register announces a package of measures for cost damping. For example, the new co-chairman Peter McDonald (ÖVP) wants to save in his own administration and collaborate with the countries for more outpatient services. He also demands more money from the federal government. Investments in the construction area must be postponed. “In the future we need more controllers and economists and fewer lawyers,” he said.
A new government and a competent parliament, he and Ögk chairman Andreas Huss (Spö) want to seek a conversation with the club guards in parliament. Another federal financing contribution is “of course inevitable”.
The prediction in the social security of the self -processed (SVS) is less bad. For 2024 it expects a minus of 3.9 million euros, for 2025 a departure of 15.3 million euros is calculated.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
