The editor of MedLabPortal, Marita Vollborn, was denied an medically prescribed MRI examination by the radiologie.zentrum.nordharz in Goslar, despite an appointment having been confirmed via an urgent care code from the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians of Lower Saxony (KVN) through the hotline 116117. The management decided this without further explanation or naming themselves. MedLabPortal inquired with the Lower Saxony Ministry of Social Affairs, Health and Equality about the rights of those affected and possible reasons for discrimination, such as due to journalistic activity. The ministry explained that, except in emergencies, the professional freedom of choice applies, and doctors can generally decide freely whether to treat patients. However, physicians with a license from the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians are subject to a duty to treat statutory insured patients. This is established in the Social Code Book V (§ 95 para. 3 sentence 1 SGB V) and the Federal Association Agreement Physicians (BMV-Ä). A refusal is only possible in justified cases, such as a disturbed trust relationship (§ 13 para. 7 sentence 3 BMV-Ä). The entitlement to the MRI ...

An international research team from the Max Planck Institute for Educational Research and the Toulouse School of Economics warns of the risks of using AI in the approval of social benefits. The study, published in Nature Communications, shows that affected individuals such as the unemployed or needy distrust automated decisions because they can reinforce biases and errors can lead to harsh consequences. To create acceptance, the perspectives of vulnerable groups must be considered in the development of such systems. The case of the AI program Smart Check in Amsterdam illustrates the problems: The system checked social assistance applications for fraud by analyzing data on addresses, income, and families to calculate risk scores. High scores forwarded applications to case workers, but disproportionately affected migrants, women, or parents. Criticism from associations and lawyers led to the suspension of the program; an evaluation confirmed deficiencies such as a lack of traceability and appeal options. In three surveys with over 3,200 participants from the USA… 

From October 1, 2025, doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies in Germany, including the regions of Berlin and Brandenburg, will be required to use the electronic patient record (ePA). This central digital storage of sensitive health data is intended to facilitate document exchange between treatment facilities and minimize sources of error. For around 70 million statutory health insurance members, setting up the record remains voluntary as long as no objection is filed. Nevertheless, incomplete technical preparations and ongoing concerns about cybersecurity cast a shadow over the launch. Experts warn of risks that could jeopardize the acceptance and benefits of the system. The ePA functions as a digital folder in which findings, lab values, medication plans, vaccinations, or X-rays are stored. Patients retain full control: they decide on access rights for practices, clinics, or pharmacies and can block or release documents individually. Temporary access is granted automatically – for practices up to 90 days, for pharmacies… 

The cumulative total debt within the statutory health insurance system (GKV) reached a new dimension in 2025 and is an expression of a long-standing structural imbalance. The system is at a critical turning point: massive deficits, dwindling reserves, and fundamental financing problems burden policyholders, with a drag on the economy included. The report analyzes the key drivers and calls for decisive reforms. Record Deficits: A System at its Limit 2025, the GKV recorded a deficit of approximately 46 billion euros – a historically unprecedented figure and a reflection of the complex financial crisis[1][2][3]. According to forecasts, the revenues of statutory health insurance will total around 294.7 billion euros, while expenditures will rise to around 341.4 billion euros, thus widening the gap between income and expenses[4]. Shortfalls already exceeded six billion euros in the previous year, and the Federal Court of Auditors sees this development as one of the largest increases in expenditure in the last 30 years[2][5].…