Minister proposes balancing funds with "morbidity factor"
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
A German association representing the handicapped (Sozialverband VdK) has welcomed moves by German health minister Ulla Schmidt to ensure a better balance of contributions to the health insurance funds (Risikostrukturausgleich, see Clinica No 948, p 5). A consensus report in the process of being drafted recommends that a so-called "morbidity factor" be included in any assessment of contributions. This would mean that funds whose membership tends to include a number of "high risk" patients would receive compensation allowing them to treat chronic illnesses.