Primary Care System: Warken Hopes for Better and Faster Care - Germany Overhauls Healthcare With GP-First Access System by 2028

Germany is set to introduce a new primary care system aimed at streamlining patient access to doctors. Under the plans, general practitioners will become the first point of contact for most health concerns, with specialist visits allowed only after an initial assessment. Health Minister Nina Warken has announced that a draft law will be ready by summer, with the system expected to launch in 2028.

The current healthcare system in Germany allows patients to visit specialists directly, often leading to long wait times and inefficient use of resources. To address this, the government plans to make GPs the first step in the care process. Patients will have three ways to gain access: an in-person visit, a phone consultation, or a digital assessment.

The GKV, Germany's statutory health insurance body, is pushing for a 'digital care pathway' that includes electronic referrals and appointment scheduling. Stefanie Stoff-Ahnis, deputy chair of the GKV, stressed that digital solutions will play a key role in the reform. However, the Association of General Practitioners, while supporting the primary care model, has criticized the idea of making digital consultations mandatory as the first point of access.

Exceptions will apply for certain specialists and patients with chronic conditions. The overall goal is to reduce unnecessary appointments and cut costs while speeding up access to care.

The new system is scheduled to begin in 2028, following the submission of a draft law this summer. It will require patients to consult a GP—either in person, by phone, or digitally—before seeing a specialist. The reform aims to make healthcare more efficient but has already faced pushback over its digital-first approach.