The Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KV) Berlin considers the plans of Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) to set up health kiosks to be wrong. This means that no added value can be achieved for outpatient care, the medical organization criticized on Monday.
Lauterbach wants to set up around 1000 health kiosks in socially disadvantaged regions nationwide in the long term. They should improve access to care for people with special support needs and coordinate care. 74.5 percent of the costs are to be covered by the statutory health insurance, 5.5 percent by the private health insurance companies and 20 percent by the municipalities.
Among other things, the kiosks are intended to provide patients with medical treatment, advice and support in clarifying health and social issues. In addition, nurses should perform simple routine medical tasks in the kiosks, such as measuring blood pressure and blood sugar, changing bandages or administering injections.
According to KV Berlin, however, it would make more sense and be more cost-effective to strengthen existing structures in outpatient care. The corresponding services are already covered, for example through outpatient nursing services or the neighborhood nurses in practice networks supported by KV Berlin.
