Mainz University Medicine is fighting to stay in the black: losses have been drastically reduced!

Mainz University Medicine is fighting to stay in the black: losses have been drastically reduced!

The University Medical Center Mainz, the only university hospital in Rhineland-Palatinate, has had to struggle with considerable financial challenges in recent years. The chairman of the board, Ralf Kiesslich, who has been in office since the beginning of 2024, expressed his belief in a recent interview that the clinic can reach “black zero” by 2030. In 2024, the university medicine managed to reduce its deficit to 96.7 million euros, which represents a decrease compared to almost 114 million euros in the previous year. This marks an important step forward for the institution, which has come under financial pressure in recent years n-tv reported.

The measures that contributed to reducing the deficit include improved negotiations with payers and health insurance companies, which led to higher reimbursements in the outpatient sector. In addition, the introduction of future programs to improve performance was initiated, including a new interdisciplinary outpatient clinic and a central emergency room. The supervisory board of the university medicine, chaired by Health Minister Clemens Hoch (SPD), is also calling for the black zero by 2030.

Increasing revenues and planned new buildings

Revenues from medical services are increasing, protected by lower expenses for materials, energy and building materials. In 2024, the University Medical Center will have increased its total sales to over one billion euros for the first time. In order to further support the financial goals, the deficits should be further reduced by 2025, according to Kiesslich's ideas. In the same year, around 62,000 patients were treated as inpatients, which represents an increase of 1,000 compared to the previous year. The number of outpatients treated rose by 23 percent to around 341,000.

The Mainz University Medical Center is also planning extensive construction work, which is estimated at 2.2 billion euros. These investments are intended to renovate and modernize the university clinic and to build a second clinic location in the Draiser Depression near ZDF. However, the construction will be confronted with challenges, particularly with regard to climatic impacts and the supply of fresh air for the city of Mainz. Building law issues are currently being discussed with the city of Mainz; the decision on the project lies with the city council. Environmentalists criticize the plans because the construction of a large central building and logistics center in a local recreation area is considered ecologically questionable bibliomed manager reported.

In summary, it can be seen that Mainz University Medical Center is working resolutely to stabilize its financial situation and at the same time invest in the future. Despite the challenges, those responsible are optimistic that the goals set can be achieved by 2030.