The proposal maintains the existing solidarity-based financing for basic care while allowing patients to select options with different costs.

Social expert Jochen Pimpertz advocates for legally insured patients to choose between different tariff models, which would foster competition among healthcare providers.

Hermann Gröhe, a CDU health expert, emphasizes the need for increased cost awareness through 'price signals' to enhance understanding among all stakeholders in the healthcare system.

Josef Hecken, head of the Joint Federal Committee of the German healthcare system, supports these proposals while criticizing the existing primary care model that requires referrals.

Evidence from Baden-Württemberg indicates that mandatory choice of primary care doctors can reduce waiting times, improve service quality, and lower costs.

In 2025, health insurance contributions for millions of members are expected to rise significantly due to inflation and increased wages, as announced by Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach.

The proposal was discussed in a paper by Gröhe for the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and was first reported by 'Tagesspiegel', highlighting the urgent need for reform in the healthcare sector.

Hecken highlights that the current system leads to unnecessary medical consultations and duplicate examinations, contributing to long wait times for specialist appointments.

Pimpertz warns that the changing demographics and rising costs will make the current healthcare system unsustainable without significant reform.

A new proposal in Germany suggests that patients could soon choose their doctors based on varying prices, moving away from the current uniform pricing system.

This initiative, backed by a CDU-affiliated foundation, aims to introduce greater price competition among doctors to address the challenges facing the healthcare system.

Pimpertz criticizes the current general practitioner models for lacking financial incentives, which discourages participation and undermines healthcare efficiency.