New health insurance doctor in Währing: Gatterer closes supply gap!

New health insurance doctor in Währing: Gatterer closes supply gap!

On July 1, 2025, Christian Gatterer will open his new health insurance practice for general medicine at Wallrißstraße 2, Währing. The exciting development is just right for the numerous residents who often have long waiting times. Many Währinger reports of difficulties to get timely appointments for general practitioners or specialists with a cash contract. Currently there are only 22 active cash offices for general medicine in the district, two of which are vacant, while five other cash offices are awarded but are not yet active. In view of this situation, Gatterer decided to improve medical care.

"There is something!" Says Gatterer about the current undersupply in the district. He has been working as a lung specialist in the same address since 2021 and knows the needs of the patients closely. In his new practice, a variety of studies are offered, including the annual health check-ups. The opening times are also flexibly designed and extend from Monday to Friday, the appointment booking is also uncomplicated by phone or online via a ticket system, which meets the patient.

The challenges in the health system

The planned start of practice is not without challenges. Gatterer had to lead ten negotiation rounds with the health fund for six months to open the practice. The lack of health insurance doctors reflects a nationwide problem, which is partly due to high investment costs and tariff aspects. Reports from the BKK Dachverband emphasize that the quality of the treatments in Germany varies greatly and often does not meet expectations. As a result, patients are particularly disadvantaged in structurally weak regions.

The Medical Association has repeatedly asked to increase the number of cash offices and reduce bureaucratic hurdles to facilitate access to care. Gatterer joins this opinion and emphasizes the need for a balance between health insurance doctors and election doctors for comprehensive medical care. He also supports the petition for more health insurance doctors started by the SPÖ Währing and wishes more political support.

the view over the borders

Especially in international comparison it turns out that the shortage of doctors in Germany have a few countries better under control. According to data from the Federal Center for Political Education, the access barriers are often higher for legally insured persons there, which leads to a dilemma: private patients are significantly less waiting for appointments than their legally insured fellow citizens. This imbalance can also be identified as one of the challenges in domestic healthcare.

for Christian Gatterer it is clear: the opening of his health insurance practice is only the first step in a long -lasting solution for the Währingen population. And while politics is working on reforms, he will continue to work to ensure that every patient receives medical care that he deserves.