Krankenversicherung oder Gesundheitsversorgung?

Health systems are subject to continuous change. While the cost issue often obscures the view of innovative reform ideas during an evaluation of one's own system, the comparative observation of other countries can provide important insights for structural reforms. The comparison of the health systems of Germany, Austria, the United Kingdom, and Denmark is based on the dimensions of 'coverage', 'financing', 'expenditures', 'services', and 'organization and management of healthcare provision'. One result of the analysis is that it is not service exclusions or cost-sharing that contribute to effective cost control, but rather a high degree of cooperation among service providers and the management of healthcare provision through the general practitioner principle. Furthermore, it is argued along institutional theoretical approaches that high levels of trust or satisfaction in the healthcare sector are not primarily related to above-average health expenditures, a high density of services, or particularly liberal choice options, but rather to a local organizational structure, the transparency of the service offerings it ensures, and comprehensive participation opportunities for patients.