Access, choice, and guidance in German Health Care: An account of health policy reforms since 2004

This paper discusses the influence of recent health care reform acts in Germany on choice, guidance and access from the perspective of patients, insured, insurers, and health care providers. Particular emphasis is put on health policy reforms since 2004, i.e. the Social Health Insurance Modernization Act 2004 and the most recent Social Health Insurance Competition Strengthening Act 2007. Various aspects of the reforms are included as long as they have an influence on access, choice, and choice to health care in Germany.