Germany shortens sickness fund swap deadline:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Members of Germany's statutory health insurance funds are to be given until July 9 2001 to give notice so that they can change their funds. The move, revealed in Focus, affects some 51 million Germans and comes as part of the ministry of health's drive to reform the health insurance fund law. Consumer associations have advised fund members that, if they intend to change funds, they should do so immediately, in order to have a greater choice of options. Members were previously permitted to make a decision by September 30 each year.