Redefining German Health Care: Moving to a Value-Based System

At first glance, the German health care system is a model for other nations. Germany 's citizens have universal access to care with free choice of providers, and pay premiums based on their income rather than their health or employment status.

However, just like other nations Germany suffers from rising costs and inconsistent quality, and reform efforts to date have failed to solve these problems. Future reform efforts must make value improvement, defined as patient health outcomes achieved per euro spent, the central goal.

This book lays out an action agenda to move Germany to a high-value system. This starts with reorganizing care around patients and their medical conditions. Other key elements include: true competition based on outcomes, the active role of health plans in maximizing subscriber health, and the integration of private insurance in the risk-pooling system.

The book shows that all these steps are practical and achievable. Moving to a value-based health care system is the only way for Germany to continue to ensure access to excellent health care for everyone.