What to do when you’re sick in Germany

 

This video, by Simple Germany, offers a comprehensive guide for expats on navigating the German healthcare system. Here's a detailed summary of the key points:

Types of Doctors

• Hausarzt (General Practitioner): This is your primary care physician, who you'll visit for common illnesses, referrals to specialists, and routine checkups. You don't need to register with one immediately upon arriving in Germany; find one when you need one.
• Facharzt (Specialist): These are doctors specializing in specific areas like cardiology, dermatology, gynecology, etc. Some specialists require a referral (Überweisung) from your GP, while others can be visited directly.
• Other important doctors: Kinderarzt (pediatrician), Zahnarzt (dentist), Augenarzt (eye doctor), HNO-Arzt (ear, nose, and throat doctor).

Private vs. Public Health Insurance

• Private Practices (Privatpraxis): Cater exclusively to patients with private health insurance.
• Public Practices (Praxis or Kassenpatienten): Accept patients with public health insurance.
• It's crucial to choose the right practice based on your insurance type to avoid surprises or being turned away.

Making a Doctor's Appointment

• Health insurance portal: Many health insurance providers have online portals with doctor finders and appointment booking features.
• Online platforms: Platforms like Doctolib and Jameda allow you to search for doctors and book appointments online.
• Directly contacting the practice: You can always call the doctor's office to schedule an appointment.

What to Expect During a Doctor's Visit

• Be prepared and concise: Clearly explain your symptoms and medical history.
• Expect efficiency: German doctors are often straightforward and efficient, so be prepared to advocate for your needs and ask for specific treatments if you have something in mind.

Emergency Care

• Call 112: For life-threatening emergencies.
• Emergency room (Notaufnahme): For urgent but non-life-threatening situations.
• Emergency pharmacy (Not-Apotheke): For minor ailments like colds or fever when your regular doctor is unavailable. You can find the nearest open emergency pharmacy by checking the sign on the door or window of any pharmacy.

Sick Leave

• Inform your employer: Notify your employer immediately if you cannot work due to illness.
• Doctor's note (Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung - AU): Required if you're sick for more than three days. This note needs to be submitted to your employer and potentially your health insurance provider.

Cost of Healthcare

• Public health insurance: Covers most medical expenses, with possible co-pays for certain services.
• Private insurance: Offers more flexibility but can be more expensive.
• Prescription medication: Typically costs around €5 for publicly insured patients.

Additional Tips

• Vaccination record (Impfpass): Keep your vaccination record up-to-date.
• Preventative checkups: Take advantage of preventative checkups offered based on age and gender.
• Electronic prescriptions (eRezept): While in development, they are not yet widely used.

This video provides a valuable overview of the German healthcare system, empowering expats to confidently manage their health while living in Germany.