The Federal Association of the AOK
Championing the AOK system
Dr. Herbert Reichelt (right), Chairman of the Federal Association of the AOK’s Management Board, and Jürgen Graalmann (left), Vice-chairman of the Federal Association of the AOK’s Management Board
The Federal Association of the AOK is the umbrella organisation of the AOK group. It makes its presence felt wherever health policy is formulated. Since the end of 2008 it has been headquartered in Berlin, the capitol of Germany. As champion of the AOK community’s interests, the Federal Association of the AOK is actively committed to high quality and economically efficient health care for 24 million AOK members.
A new role. In the wake of the German health reforms in 2007, the Federal Association of the AOK handed over some of its functions to the newly established GKV-Spitzenverband (National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds). The Federal Association of the AOK is now making its mark as an effective and innovative service provider for the AOK system. For instance, on the political level it lobbies for greater competition and quality in the health care sector.
Representing the interests of the AOK group. Another core function of the Federal Association of the AOK is to represent the interests of the AOK group vis à vis the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds. It also acts as a point of contact for contractors of the health insurance fund. On behalf of the AOK group, it helps with the drafting of exclusive contracts with general practitioners (GP), pharmaceutical companies and other service providers in the health sector. As a result, AOK members receive special benefits, arranged outside the statutory standard care regime. This includes integrated care contracts or GP-centred care with special services for AOK insureds. Another of the Federal Association’s range of tasks is to develop special services such as the “health navigator” which AOK members can use to find the right hospital for an operation or a suitable nursing home. And, to tailor insurance protection to the needs of all AOK members, it develops optional tariffs for the AOK group.
Competing on quality of care. Over and above this, the Federal Association takes charge of financial management for the internal settlement of the AOK group, and its brand management as a health insurance fund. Mainstream marketing strategies are used to nurture the AOK brand identity: coordinated nationwide campaigns - from TV ads to billboard posters - present the AOK as a strong, dependable and caring community in touch with ist members.
AOK management. The Extended Board consists of the Chairs of the Boards of all regional AOKs. This body is responsible for developing the business policy and strategy of the Federal Association and the AOK system as a whole. Its role underpins the overall effectiveness of the AOK group. The Management Board is responsible for the daily operational business of the Federal Association of the AOK.
New National Association. As part of its 2007 reform to strengthen competition in the health care system, the German government stipulated the founding of a common association of all statutory health insurance funds. The main task of the GKVSpitzenverband (the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds) is to shape the regulatory framework for market competition between health insurance funds. For example, it negotiates all the framework contracts and payment plans for inpatient, outpatient and dental care. The AOK has 14 representatives on the Administrative Board of the National Association.