Healthcare in Germany

Healthcare in Germany ⋆ The charge for an appointment with a doctor 

The researchers monitoring the level of healthcare in different countries consider Germany among the leaders in this field. German healthcare centers are on the edge of competition. Speaking about cardiac surgery, unique manipulations hardly possible in many other countries are performed here on a regular basis. 

Yet, among its shortcomings are lack of personnel, need for innovative equipment and technology. Germans are tackling them all successfully.   

Healthcare in Germany

The basic rule of healthcare in Germany is providing help to any individual. Refusal to help the patient is prosecuted according to the law. There are two types of healthcare packages available only in case of insurance, which, in turn, is obligatory for residents both temporary and permanent. 

The packages include:

• Package 1. Medical services are provided to everyone, including the state-supported groups. Patients do not pay for medical services. The package accepts residents. It includes all basic services to provide first aid.
• Package 2 provides healthcare services under the state insurance while the costs are shared between the state and the patient. This one is the most popular with Germans. There is also private insurance for those nationals who can afford high expences for the insurance purchase and its monthly fee.

Unlike state insurance, private insurance gives more options to the patient, as it provide not just an examination, but a consultation, too. Private insurance companies hire the best specialists, so the price of the policy is significantly different from the price of public insurance. However, the question remains whether medical care in Germany under a private insurance policy is really better and more efficient than the state program.

Ambulance in Germany

An ambulance in Germany accepts calls only in case of emergency. Raised temperature, otitis, viral and other diseases are not included. Insurance covers all costs of medical care in Germany. The patient pays only the fee of 10 euros. Calling the service at number 112 from mobile and landline phones is free of charge.

The operator accepts the call and considers the condition of the patient. After a short conversation, he makes a decision on doctors and ambulances on duty to refer the patient in Germany. The ambulance accepts patients only in acute conditions unable to visit the hospital themselves despite they are conscious. 

How to make an appointment with a doctor in Germany?

You can book an appointment with a narrow expert only at referral from a general practitioner. There is a list of specialists who accept without referral like an ophthalmologist or a gynecologist. An ambulance in Germany comes on call. Patients under private insurance get the option of faster booking.

According to German law, a doctor must accept any patient under public health insurance within four weeks maximum. Personal 12-digit code assigned to the patient by the GP during the initial examination will allow faster booking. The code denotes an emergency case.

The patient must contact 116-117 after receiving the code. 

Waiting time for a doctor's appointment in Germany

The waiting time for a doctor's appointment varies depending on the type of insurance. Doctors are not allowed to prioritize between private and public insurance when providing services for patients. On average, the booking with a doctor in Germany can be accepted in three weeks. In severe cases, when the patient has an acute condition, the doctor can accept instantly, however the patient has to face a several hour queue. 

There are cases when you have to wait several months to make an appointment with a doctor in Germany. For example, an appointment with a gynecologist may not be accepted earlier than three months, an MRI examination - earlier than six months, an orthopedist - earlier than four months. Though the cases differ, German healthcare ensures qualified help of a narrow expert much faster than in other countries. 

The charge for a doctor's consultation in Germany

Insurance policy provides free medical assistance. Every resident of Germany pays a fee of 10-15 euros once every three months. Public insurance covers visits to the family doctor, x-ray examination, medicine, psychiatry, in-hospital and ambulatory treatment, pregnancy and delivery, and various health procedures. A doctor's consultation in Germany also included. Dentistry, ophthalmology, and orthodontics are partially covered.

In case if the patient does not have insurance he must pay 200 euros for an appointment with a doctor in Germany. Ultrasound examination in this case would cost from 110 to 600 euros depending on the organ, an MRI - from 710 to 1900 euros, a general examination would cost 1500-6000 euros (it all depends on complexity, number of visits and the field).

Prescription drugs in Germany

All medicines in Germany can only be purchased with a prescription divided into:

• pink prescription is valid for 30 days. It is issued by the state and provides medicine covered by insurance as well as the charge for the consultation with a doctor in Germany.
• blue prescription is valid for three months ( for private insurance)  and also covers the charge for a doctor's consultation in Germany
• yellow prescriptions allow strong opioids, substitution therapy drugs. They are valid for seven days
• white prescriptions in pharmacies in Germany allow mixed solutions while valid for six days.

There are prescriptions for physiotherapeutic procedures, speech therapist, an orthopedist,. The validity period is 14 -28 days for orthopedists, unless changed by the doctor. A pharmacist in a pharmacy can suggest a more affordable drug if the patient cannot afford what is prescribed.