Germany

If you need to see a doctor, choose one (Arzt or Ärztin) who has a contract with a health insurance fund (Vertragsarzt, Kassenarzt, or marked “Alle Kassen”, which means they accept all statutory health insurance funds). Most doctors in Germany are contracted in this way. You can find doctors’ contact information on the website of the the Germany’s National Contact Point. You can usually see a specialist (Facharzt or Fachärztin) without a referral from a general practitioner. The treatment is free of charge. You can also see a dentist (Zahnarzt or Zahnärztin) without a referral.

Show your European Health Insurance Card and your identity card at the doctor’s practice. The receptionist will usually ask you how long you have been staying in Germany and verify that you did not travel to the country specifically to receive healthcare. The receptionist will print out the form “Patientenerklärung Europäische Krankenversicherung”, which you must complete and sign. In the form, you must also choose the health insurance fund from which the doctor will charge your treatment costs.

The payment procedure is similar with dentists and hospitals as well. In the dentist’s office, and in most cases also in the hospital, you will also have to fill out and sign the form “Patientenerklärung Europäische Krankenversicherung”.

When collecting prescribed medication from a pharmacy (Apotheke), show the prescription, your European Health Insurance Card, and your identity card. Prescription medicines are usually free of charge for patients under the age of 18. There are also on-duty pharmacies (Apotheken-Notdienst, website in German). In Germany, prescriptions are valid for 28 days.

In an emergency, you can go directly to a hospital that has a care agreement (zugelassenes Krankenhaus). Most hospitals in Germany have such an agreement.

At the reception, show your European Health Insurance Card and your identity card. As in a doctor’s office, the reception or patient admission staff will usually ask you to fill out and sign the form “Patientenerklärung Europäische Krankenversicherung”.

All hospital healthcare services that are medically necessary for treating your illness are covered. However, you are responsible for any additional services (such as the cost of a private room). Hospital treatment is free of charge for patients under the age of 18.

If you have to pay the full price at the treatment facility, even though you had your European Health Insurance Card with you, keep the receipts and contact Germany’s National Contact Point to clarify the situation. Alternatively, you may be able to apply for reimbursement from Kela afterwards.

If your illness requires special transport when returning to Finland, you must cover the travel costs yourself. It is recommended to take out travel insurance that covers such expenses.

Remember to ensure that your patient data is transferred between countries. You can provide those responsible for your follow-up care or your healthcare provider with the patient records related to the treatment you received abroad. If the patient records need to be translated, you will be responsible for arranging the translation yourself.

Germany has common standards in place regarding the quality of care and patient safety. Information about the quality of healthcare services in Germany is available on the following websites, among others:

• The German Hospital Federation (DKG, in English)
• GKV-Spitzenverband (in German)

In the event of a treatment injury, the legislation and patient insurance of the country where the treatment was provided will always apply. If you are dissatisfied with the care you received, you should primarily try to resolve the matter directly with the treatment provider. If you wish to make a complaint, Germany’s National Contact Point can assist you in identifying the appropriate authority.

Germany has a dual health insurance system. In addition to statutory health insurance funds, the country also has private health insurance. The “benefits-in-kind” principle applies to statutory health insurance. This means that persons with statutory health insurance do not have to make an upfront payment to the health care provider (for example, their doctor) for the treatment they receive. Instead, the health care provider delivers the necessary service and subsequently bills the statutory health insurance fund of the insured person.

The benefits covered by statutory health insurance are regulated by statutory requirements. The various health insurance funds can offer additional benefits that complement the mandatory ones. However, more than 90 percent of the benefits offered are legally mandated and uniform for all patients with statutory health insurance. Some services are not listed in the Standard Schedule of Fees (Einheitlicher Bewertungsmaßstab, EBM). These are referred to as “individual health services” (Individuelle Gesundheitsleistungen, IGeL), and are only available on a self-pay basis. The costs of these individual services are not reimbursed under statutory health insurance.

The “benefits-in-kind” principle does not apply to private health insurance. This means that if a patient has private health insurance, the health care provider bills for the treatment after it has been completed. The cost of individual services is determined by fee scales. Typically, the patient pays the bill and then submits it to their health insurance company, which reimburses the cost either partially or fully.