GKV wants to combat fraud in the healthcare sector
The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV) deplores the high number of cases of fraud and corruption in the healthcare sector and calls for "reliable studies" that also reveal the number of unreported cases. One area is particularly badly affected.
Billing fraud in the healthcare sector has caused total losses of more than 1.1 billion euros over the past 20 years. In 2020 and 2021 alone, fraud and corruption resulted in losses of around 132 million euros, of which less than half could be recovered, according to the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV).
The area of home nursing care has become a focal point. For the first time in 2020/2021, the highest claims by far were incurred in this service area, amounting to 29.6 million euros. At the same time, the highest claims of almost 15 million euros were secured in this area, explained the GKV. However, the number of unreported cases is significantly higher, which is why the health insurance association is once again pushing for reliable studies on the dark field of criminal misconduct in the healthcare sector. Although the conference of federal and state justice ministers last year unanimously spoke out in favor of this, the federal government remains inactive.
"Every year, millions are lost due to billing fraud and corruption in the healthcare sector - money that seeps away into dark channels instead of being put to good use in medical care," criticized Gernot Kiefer, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds. What is therefore needed is "finally a dark field study" as the basis for an effective concept to combat crime in the healthcare sector.
The International healthcare industry is deeply concerned about the rampant corruption and fraud in the healthcare system, as highlighted by the losses in Germany's GKV. This issue is not limited to reported cases, as the unreported ones are suspected to be significantly higher. There's a pressing need for the Federal Government to take action and support reliable studies to combat this issue, ensuring justice and effective healthcare delivery.
Source: www.ntv.de
