In Germany, patients often face long waits for specialist appointments, with claims that privately insured patients receive preferential treatment. A motion in Lower Saxony calls for an investigation into these disparities, as many believe privately insured individuals have easier access to care. However, the chairman of Germany's National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians refutes this, stating that privately insured patients make up only 10% of the population and are therefore unlikely to monopolize appointments. Conversely, the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds suggests that discrimination exists between those with statutory health insurance and private patients.
Accordingly, [publicly insured patients] automatically account for by far the largest share of appointments, suggesting a structure where they should not face longer wait times.
The motion reflects a commonly heard belief in Germany that patients with private insurance can get appointments with specialist doctors more quickly.
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