Kassenärztliche

Kassenärztliche refers to the system and bodies responsible for outpatient medical care within Germany’s statutory health insurance, focusing on physicians who treat patients insured under the GKV. The term is most commonly associated with the Kassenärztliche Vereinigungen (KVen), regional associations that represent contracted doctors. At the national level, the Kassenärztliche Bundesvereinigung (KBV) coordinates policy and standards across the regional bodies.

The legal basis for the Kassenärztliche system is the Social Code Book V (SGB V). The KVen ensure the supply of ambulatory medical care to statutory health insurance beneficiaries, register physicians as contracted doctors, plan the regional distribution of physicians, and negotiate contracts with statutory health insurers. They set remuneration arrangements for ambulatory services and participate in quality assurance and guideline adherence, in cooperation with the KBV and the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA).

Organization and functions: Each federal state has its own regional KVen, which operate as independent, self-governing bodies and are coordinated by the KBV. They administer contracts, manage billing and settlements for ambulatory care, and oversee standards and quality measures. They also organize the regional on-call medical service (Bereitschaftsdienst) and facilitate access to care through regional appointment and service structures.

Relation to patients and the health system: For residents with statutory health insurance, most outpatient services are provided by contracted physicians through the KVen and are paid by health insurers under negotiated agreements. Private patients typically use different billing arrangements (GOÄ). The KVen strive to ensure nationwide coverage and accessible care, including in rural areas, within the framework of the GKV.

History and significance: The Kassenärztliche structure emerged in the postwar period to organize outpatient care within the statutory health insurance system and remains a central element in governing access, funding, and quality of ambulatory medicine in Germany.