Visiting the doctor
Finding a doctor
In Germany you have the right to “free choice of doctor”. That means you decide for yourself which doctor you want to see. You should first approach your general practitioner, who will refer you to a specialist or a clinic where necessary. There are several ways to find a doctor you can trust:
- Visit the website of the place where you live
- Look at the Bertelsmann Stiftung's Weiße Liste
- Contact the independent patient advice service
- Search on the site of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians for your federal state
- Search under “Ärzte” in the telephone book or online
Once you have found a doctor, it is advisable to make an appointment so as to avoid long waits. In an emergency, however, you can also come without one.
Emergencies and out-of-hours services
You need medical help but your GP's practice is closed? You can then call 116 117, the out-of-hours medical service available across the whole country. It is free from landlines and mobile networks and open to patients with statutory and private insurance alike. If you are in a crisis, however — a life-threatening situation, for instance — you should still call the emergency number 112.
The cost of seeing a doctor
If you have statutory insurance you normally pay nothing to see a doctor. Your health insurance fund covers the cost within the limits set by law. There are some exceptions where a co-payment or an excess may be required, for certain medicines or certain medical services for example. These co-payments are capped by law, however, and are as a rule reimbursed by your health insurance fund once you submit your receipts.
Vaccination and prevention
It is of course better not to fall ill in the first place. Vaccinations and screening help make illness avoidable. Germany has no compulsory vaccinations, but a number of them are nonetheless recommended and paid for by the health insurance funds. You can find out which vaccinations are recommended from your doctor, for example, or from the Federal Centre for Health Education.
The vaccinations you have received are recorded in your vaccination card. There are also various screening examinations, some of them required by law. For babies and children there are the U1 to U9 examinations, which can detect and treat developmental disorders and illnesses early. For adults too there are numerous examinations for prevention and early detection, such as skin cancer screening or dental check-ups. Health insurance funds often grant a bonus if you attend these examinations regularly.