What is an MVZ?
A medical care center is a special form of organization in outpatient care. Since 2004, there has been a legally regulated opportunity to bring together several doctors from different disciplines under one roof.
An MVZ can be set up by hospitals, registered doctors or other approved institutions.
In contrast to traditional individual practice, the focus here is on joint work. Patients can take advantage of several specialties at one location, while doctors provide their services in a coordinated manner.
Legally, the MVZ is considered a separate unit. It has a medical director and bills its services through the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians.
Benefits of an MVZ
General benefits
- predictability: Doctors at MVZ have fixed working hours and have to spend less time on administrative tasks.
- surety: The economic risk lies with the institution, not with the individual doctor.
- teamwork: Several disciplines work hand in hand, which makes referrals and diagnoses easier.
Benefits for hospitals
- patient engagement: Clinics can continue to provide outpatient care for their patients even after an inpatient stay.
- New income: An MVZ allows you to expand the range of services and generate additional revenue.
- Attractiveness as an employer: Young doctors often prefer the security of employment at the MVZ.
Benefits for patients
- Everything in one place: Patients can visit various specialists under one roof.
- Faster processes: Results and treatment decisions are made more quickly thanks to the close coordination of doctors.
- Long-term support: Chronically ill people in particular benefit from coordinated team collaboration.
- Better rural care: MVZs contribute to supply in rural regions.
Disadvantages of an MVZ
In addition to the advantages, however, there are also some disadvantages:
- Less independence: Employed doctors often have no influence on economic decisions.
- commercialization: Investor-led MVZs may focus more on the return target than on medical care.
- Dependence on the carrier: The orientation of the MVZ depends heavily on its interests.
- Less personal commitment: Some patients find care in an MVZ to be more anonymous than in an individual practice.
And lastly: In dentistry in particular, investor-supported MVZs are increasingly emerging. This causes criticism because it is assumed that economic interests come to the forefront. The federal government is therefore planning stricter rules in 2025 to limit the influence of corporations.
Founding an MVZ: Requirements, Financing & Legal Forms
The Founding A medical care center is bound by clear legal requirements. In addition to organizational requirements, the choice of institution and legal form also play a decisive role.
Prerequisites for incorporation
For an MVZ to be approved, at least two doctors must work in the center, who together fulfill a full care mandate. In addition, a medical director is required who has medical responsibility. Approval is issued by the responsible licensing committee of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians.
The following are the following founding rights:
- licensed doctors
- hospitals
- Municipalities
- dialysis centers
- nonprofit organizations
Financing: Sponsors and Investors
Financing depends heavily on the funding structure. Traditionally, hospitals or groups of doctors cover the costs and secure the income from outpatient care. In recent years, however, there has also been an increase in private investors who operate MVZs with the aim of generating returns. This regularly causes discussion, but is legally permissible. For employed doctors, this model primarily means financial security, as they do not bear any economic risk themselves.
Possible legal forms of an MVZ
The GmbH is most often chosen, as is the GbR or the partnership company. Founding as a cooperative is possible, but rare in practice. Since 2012, joint-stock companies have no longer been allowed to act as new sponsors, but existing MVZs in this form enjoy protection.
How can you dissolve an MVZ?
If an MVZ is dissolved, its registration also expires. The affected medical offices are returned to the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians. In addition, it must be regulated what happens with medical records happens. Patients should be informed at an early stage so that their treatment can continue seamlessly.
Digital practice organization and billing: solutions for MVZ & practices
A modern MVZ not only depends on medical quality, but also on efficient processes in the background. digital solutions help from Nelly, reckoning, document management and patient communication to combine in a continuous process. This relieves doctors and employees, reduces sources of error and ensures more time with patients.
This keeps your institution competitive and increases the Staff satisfaction and also the patient and creates smooth structures in everyday life.
contact us gladly today. We'll show you how Nelly can optimally support your MVZ or practice.
Common questions
Why do you set up an MVZ?
An MVZ is founded to bundle several specialties under one roof and thus provide patients with more comprehensive care. It is also an opportunity for hospitals to continue providing outpatient care even after an inpatient stay and generate additional income. Doctors, in turn, benefit from employment with regular working hours and less administrative work.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of an MVZ?
The benefits include better predictability for doctors, close cooperation between different disciplines, expansion of the range of services for hospitals and easier care for patients. Disadvantages arise primarily from the limited entrepreneurial freedom of doctors, the economic orientation of some providers and an often less personal doctor-patient relationship.
Are doctors employed at MVZ?
Yes, in most cases, doctors at MVZ work as employees. This means that they do not bear the economic risk and can concentrate more on medical work. In some constellations, however, it is also possible to work as a shareholder doctor if the institution so provides.
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