On 25 November 2025 in Munich, the Representatives’ Assembly (VV) of the Bavarian Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KVB) sharply criticised investor-operated medical care centres (iMVZ) and called for stronger regulation. She also discussed the effects of artificial intelligence (AI) on medical care.

VV Chairwoman Dr. Petra Reis-Berkowicz warned of a deterioration in outpatient care by profit-oriented iMVZ and private equity companies (PEG), which focus on profitable services and put patient welfare on the back burner. In Bavaria, PEG already controls over 40 percent of ophthalmology medical care centers, more than 50 percent of radiology and laboratory medicine medical centers, as well as growing shares in orthopedics and dermatology. According to KVB, analyses show that PEG concentrates on urban markets, neglects rural regions and often does not fulfil the care mandate in the general practitioner sector. Politicians must tighten the third-party ownership law – the coalition agreement calls for regulation, but nothing happens, emphasized the KVB board, consisting of Dr. Christian Pfeiffer, Dr. Peter Heinz and Dr. Claudia Ritter-Rupp.

Another topic was further training, especially in the psychotherapeutic care of children, adolescents and future adults through new specialist psychotherapist trainings. The VV called for more funding to secure young talent.

AI applications such as “Doc in the box” or drugstore analyses were viewed critically, as they could endanger the doctor-patient relationship. Nevertheless, developments are to be observed and checked for their patient well-being.

With a large majority, the VV passed a resolution against the draft bill of the Federal Ministry of Health for a Pharmacy Supply Further Development Act (ApoVWG). The planned diagnostic competencies for pharmacies were rejected because patients return to doctors anyway. The KVB is pushing for political action.

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

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