3 million insured people in BW: HZV is revolutionizing family doctor care!

3 million insured people in BW: HZV is revolutionizing family doctor care!

Family doctor-centered care (HZV) is on a clear growth path. Over 3 million insured people in Baden-Württemberg now use this innovative model, which was launched in 2008 with the aim of establishing the family doctor's practice as a central point of contact in the health system. Dr. Frank-Dieter Braun, honorary chairman of the Baden-Württemberg General Practitioners Association (HÄVBW), and Dr. Susanne Bublitz, co-chair, emphasized in an interview that the HZV optimally meets the needs of patients and has now proven itself as a university model. Their success is also due to the trust of those insured - those with chronic illnesses in particular benefit from continuous, high-quality care.

The HZV includes a mandatory first visit to the family doctor for those with statutory health insurance, with the option to cancel or change. The aim is to avoid over-, under- and incorrect care while at the same time increasing the quality of care. With more than 16,000 participating family doctors, the system is robust and beneficial for everyone involved. Participation in it is voluntary and free of charge for both patients and practices. And not without reason: studies show that HZV can reduce hospital stays and specialist visits, which significantly improves the efficiency and quality of medical care, as Wikipedia states.

The development of the HZV

The HZV was launched in 2004 with the GKV Modernization Act and has since appeared to be an efficient use of scarce resources. Dr. Braun and Dr. Bublitz emphasize that the beginnings were characterized by skepticism, both from health insurance companies and general practitioners. However, through intensive persuasion and political support, a rethink was able to take place. The HZV is now recognized and established as an integral part of the German healthcare system.

The HZV model promotes the team structure in practices and also makes it easier to involve non-medical health professionals. This is particularly important as demographic change shows that challenges are increasing and effective healthcare is in demand. Political support for a mandatory primary care physician system is therefore valuable in order to further increase quality and efficiency, as the medical associations repeatedly emphasize.

Advantages and challenges

The patients benefit in several ways. Coordinated care ensures that double examinations are avoided and a stable doctor-patient relationship is promoted. This gives the insured a feeling of security and continuity in their medical care. Scientifically validated studies show that older chronic patients in particular who take part in HZV are better cared for and have to go to hospital less often.

Nevertheless, there are also points of criticism. Some experts fear that a permanently compulsory choice of family doctor could restrict patients' freedom. In addition, there is sometimes a lack of clarity regarding remuneration, particularly in the case of add-on contracts. These challenges must be actively addressed in order to continue to put the HZV into the race as a powerful, proven model of primary care, as the Flexikon describes.

With a creative and flexible approach, HZV can further expand its strengths and meet the challenges of the future, such as demographic change. The development shows that a good hand in implementation is crucial to keeping medical care in the country at a high standard.