[Elements of managed care in Germany and in Switzerland]

With the introduction of the GVK (health insurance) modernization statute (GMG), health policy in Germany will focus on a more highly differentiated form of remuneration of the physician's services that is based on the degree of morbidity of the patient. Simultaneously with the introduction of morbidity-oriented risk structure adjustment in the year 2007, the level of payment to the doctor will be determined by the standard services volume based on risk categories and relative weightings as well as the case-based flat rates. A glance across the border to our Swiss neighbors provides information on their experience with diagnosis-related forms of remuneration.