A friend in Vienna recently explained the “free” health care coverage in Austria. Bear with me as I describe what we may likely see here in the near future:
1. Their state health care system is called Krankenkasse (KK). It is mandatory that everyone participate in this state-run plan. The plan is paid for via a set percentage taken out of the worker’s wages – they pay half, and the employer “pays” half (we all know what that means: the employee actually pays for the whole thing via reduced wages).
2. Each quarter, the worker is issued three KK vouchers: One voucher for a general practioner, one for a specialist and one for a dentist. The voucher is presented to the physician at the initial appointment. You are then entitled to three months worth of unlimited visits to that particular doctor – and only that doctor. At the end of the three months, if you want to see a different doctor you may, as you will be given another three vouchers. If you need additional testing, lab work, or more than one specialist, the original doctor will give you a referral voucher.
3. The KK reimburses physicians about 19 Euros per voucher – not per visit – so it behooves the doctor to schedule as many appointments as possible per day. This means very long waits, even for short visits. Doctors are also required to make house calls, which again, are not reimbursed per visit. Doctors are paid quarterly. Nineteen Euros = $26.70 USD.
I haven’t had a chance to ask him about health care for unemployed folks, although I do know that a friend is due to have a baby any day now, and that she will receive wages while she takes one year off from work – as a cocktail waitress.
He did say that litigation is unheard of. If the doctor screws up, there is no recourse, but on the flip side, being sued is not a continual threat to the physicians.
When people comment about “socialized medicine” I like to know the details – exactly what does this mean and how is it practiced on a regular basis. I hope this sheds a little light on how one European country has handled their national health care.
