“Securing supplies” – Doctors should be able to work for more than 70 years

Towards a new working age. Ingrid Korosec, president of the Senior Association, advocates through “Krone” for the abolition of the age limit of 70 years for panel doctors in view of the sometimes dramatic conditions in the health system. There were still 300 at the end of 2022. “The age limit is not only discriminatory, but also counterproductive,” says Korosec. The law from 2009, when there was still a surplus of doctors, belongs away. “There is also a wave of retirements. And we see how difficult it is to fill the countryside.”

“Why shouldn’t they be allowed to work any longer?”
Approval comes from the Medical Association. Vice President Edgar Wutscher: “There is a supply problem. We are considering abolishing the age limit and will do so soon.” Many have been caring for their patients for years and have vast experience, says Wutscher. And rhetorically asks, “Why stop at 70 when they can and want to keep going?”

Andreas Huss of the health insurance fund is skeptical: “In 2022 alone, we will have been able to fill almost 700 health insurance positions with young doctors.” In individual cases, an extension beyond 70 could be approved anyway.

The government is launching the Longer Working Project
Politicians want to get a grip on the general problem. The shortage of skilled labor and the pension system are a heavy burden. There are incentives to work longer. A group of experts will develop proposals.

“We want to enable working at an older age,” says Minister of Labor Martin Kocher (ÖVP). There are many suggestions. The blocked partial retirement is not the best model for Social Affairs Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens), as it has resulted in employees saving holidays and overtime and retiring at age 63. The government therefore wants to abolish this, but the union is fighting back. Now the government still has a lot of (convincing) work to do.