The Hospital Reform (KHVVG) in Germany – Opportunities and Challengesen's Day
The Hospital Reform (KHVVG) in Germany – Opportunities and Challenges
The hospital landscape in Germany is undergoing profound changes. With the Hospital Care Improvement Act (KHVVG), the federal government aims to make inpatient healthcare more efficient, of higher quality, and economically sustainable. But what does this reform mean specifically for patients and hospitals?
Key Aspects of the KHVVG
1. Restructuring Service Portfolios: In the future, the planning of inpatient healthcare services by federal states will be standardized nationwide through so-called service-related groups. Only hospitals assigned a specific service-related group will be allowed to perform procedures in that category. This is intended to enable better specialization while improving the quality of care. For patients, this could mean that specialized treatments will increasingly be provided in larger centers, while basic healthcare services will continue to be available locally.
2. Quality Standards and Minimum Requirements: Stricter requirements for service-related groups are supposed to ensure that patients receive high-quality treatment. This applies to both staffing levels and technical infrastructure. At the same time, smaller hospitals that do not meet the new requirements could come under pressure or even be forced to close.
3. New Financing Structures: Another aspect of the reform is the introduction of provision-based funding. This is intended to ensure that hospitals are compensated not only for services rendered but also for maintaining & providing medical infrastructure. This could reduce financial pressures that have previously led to unnecessary treatment. While regulations for implementation exist from 2027 onwards, it remains unclear how and whether they will be enforced. This aspect is the most criticized and is the most likely to be revised by a future government.
Impact on Patients and the Hospital Landscape
For patients, the reform presents both opportunities and challenges. While increased specialization could lead to better treatment quality, access to local healthcare in rural areas may become more difficult. Long distances to specialized clinics could be particularly burdensome for elderly or chronically ill patients.
The hospital landscape will also undergo significant transformation. Smaller hospitals will need to focus on specific services or establish partnerships with larger facilities. At the same time, major hospital centers will continue to specialize further. Overall, this should enhance treatment quality.
How inspiring-health Can Support the Transition
As an experienced consultancy in the healthcare sector, inspiring-health assists hospitals and healthcare organizations in navigating these changes. This includes:
- Analysis and Strategy Development: Support in strategic alignment and adaptation to the new service groups.
- Structural Analysis: Modeling the impact of changing healthcare service availability in specific regions.
- Cooperation Models: Development and implementation of partnerships between hospitals to combine specialization with local healthcare provision.
Conclusion
The hospital reform represents a fundamental shift in Germany's healthcare landscape. While the planned measures aim to improve quality and economic viability, many questions regarding their practical implementation remain unanswered. Patients may have to adapt to new care structures, while hospitals will undergo significant transformations. Through targeted consulting and support, inspiring-health can help hospitals optimally prepare for these new framework conditions.