Ludwig proposes direct billing for cross-state patients

Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig has proposed billing the costs of patients treated outside their home state directly between Austria’s federal states, ORF reported. The model could replace the existing flat-rate system and distribute the financial burden more evenly.

Ludwig called for the financing of patients treated in other states to be revised in an interview with Ö1 on Tuesday. He said direct billing would offer a quick solution because his preferred model of healthcare regions has not yet been adopted by other states.

Vienna expects costs to rise

Vienna’s uncovered costs related to patients from other states recently totalled 610 million euros, taking into account the fiscal equalisation system and services provided by Vienna residents in other states. Ludwig expects the figure to reach up to 700 million euros this year.

Burgenland said there was already a system for financing patients from other states under the fiscal equalisation arrangements. The broader question of hospital financing should be addressed in the next negotiations on fiscal equalisation, it said.

Burgenland Governor Hans Peter Doskozil of the Social Democratic Party said a fair and sustainable solution for healthcare across Austria was essential. “Money must follow the service,” he said.