Germany’s statutory health insurance association is calling for an end to the preferential treatment of privately insured patients in scheduling medical appointments.

Currently, privately insured individuals often secure appointments within a day, while those with statutory insurance face waits of six weeks or more.

With 90% of Germans relying on statutory insurance, the association argues that medical necessity, not insurance type, should determine appointment priority.

They propose a legal mandate requiring doctors to list available appointments on an online portal accessible to all.

Patient advocacy groups also demand greater transparency and accountability in appointment practices, urging the government to enforce stricter regulations.