GERMANY | Emergency | Healthcare system

Healthcare in Germany

Most aspects of health care in Germany are free for all those with health insurance, which is compulsory for everyone including foreign residents. There are two types of health insurance: Statutory and private. Employees are legally required to be insured within the statutory scheme if they earn less than 4,462.50€ per month (2014 rates). Those earning more, are self-employed or civil servants (Beamte) may take out private insurances. In the statutory system, employees and employers each contribute 50% towards insurance payments. A certain percentage of the monthly income has to be paid to the statutory insurance, with the exact percentage depending on the amount of money earned. With private insurance, the monthly premiums depend mainly on the age and health profile of the individual concerned.

When going to see a doctor, evidence of health insurance needs to be provided. European citizens need a EHIC to receive emergency medical treatment. For basic medical treatment, the "S1" document is required. Both of these documents are issued by the health care insurance company in the country of residence or origin. Without an EHIC and/or S1 document, all costs of medical treatment – both emergency and basic – will be charged to the patient, though in some cases these can be reclaimed in the home country.

In most circumstances, patients are able to choose the doctor who treats them. Hospital services are only offered in emergency cases, at times when doctors’ surgeries are not open (at night or at weekends) or, in severe cases, when recommended by a medical practitioner.

Emergency medical care

The main emergency telephone number is 112. In case of a fire or other life-threatening situations (medical emergency), 112 (fire department and ambulance/paramedics) should be called. 110 is the emergency number to call the police.

If urgent medical assistance is not required, patients may go directly to the emergency department or, in cases that are less urgent, call the statutory health insurance emergency number: 116117.

The emergency numbers are all free of charge.

Every hospital has a medical emergency service or an emergency room. If you are not seriously ill or injured, you can go or drive to the hospital by yourself. Here, a doctor will immediately treat you, transfer you to a specialist or admit you to the hospital, if necessary. If you do not have private health insurance, the hospital will charge you a 10€ fee per day.

Significant constraints on the availability of emergency medical care

In life-threatening situations, everyone is entitled to receive medical treatment. Emergency medical treatment for patients with an EHIC is covered by their home medical insurance. If patients do not have an EHIC, they will be charged by the hospital.

If emergency medical intervention is required, the patient will usually be transferred to the nearest hospital. Rescue times may vary from 5 to 15 minutes in towns and from 10 to 30 minutes in rural areas, depending on the distance to the nearest hospital and the equipment and resources of that hospital, e.g. whether or not they have an air ambulance. First aiders will often be non-professionals. However, many people in Germany are first-aid trained, e.g. anybody with a driver’s licence. Many employers must undergo first-aid training and appoint a specified number of employees who are trained regularly in first-aid procedures.

Doctors' surgeries

In Germany, even people carrying state health insurance may go to the doctor of their choice. You can either go to a family doctor (general practitioner who used to make home visits) or a specialist. Usually, doctors have set consultation hours and/or you can make an appointment. Check the Yellow Pages (Gelbe Seiten) or the phonebook for addresses and phone numbers. Ask local friends and co-workers if they can recommend a good doctor. If necessary, a general practitioner will transfer you to a specialist.

Costs

You have to pay 10€ per quarter for the first visit to a doctor. If you have to go more than once within a particular quarter or if your GP transfers you to a specialist, you are not required to pay the so-called "practice charge" again. Keep the receipt. Since it is not possible to be transferred to a dentist, you will have to pay another 10€ if you go to a dentist’s office.

Pharmacies

If you are looking for a pharmacy, look for the sign with a large red capital letter "A". Usually, every part of town has at least one pharmacy. There is always one on call outside normal business hours.

At a pharmacy, you can buy medicine available on prescription which your health insurance will largely cover (10% personal contribution), and medicine only available at pharmacies that is prescription-free and which you will have to pay for entirely yourself.

To save money, ask your pharmacist for alternatives to expensive brand products. In many cases, alternatives or re-imported products are available which contain the same active substances as the original, but are a lot less expensive.

You can also buy cosmetics, baby products and hygiene products such as pads, tampons or condoms at a pharmacy.