[Does the new Health Insurance Legislation lead to more competition? Consequences for physicians]

One of the goals of the new Swiss Health Insurance Law, which will be effective as of January 1, 1996, is to strengthen the market forces in the Swiss health care system. Although under the new law several barriers to competition will continue to exist, competition between physicians in private practice and between hospitals will have profound effects. In future physicians will have to accept responsibility not only for medical aspects but also for the financial consequences of their action. They will be confronted with new forms of reimbursement, utilization and cost reviews. Therefore, doctors will require training for their new role in a market-oriented health care system.