2024-04-18 20:42:40
The shortage of doctors in Germany is clearly noticeable. Appointments are particularly rare, especially for specialists. Five tips to shorten the waiting time.
In Germany it is becoming increasingly difficult to get an appointment with a specialist. Surveys show that on average, people with statutory health insurance wait 30 days for further treatment.
Since January 2023, the situation has worsened again because the so-called new patient regulation has been abolished. This offered doctors financial incentives to offer more appointments and treat more people. But the abolition of the regulation makes it even more difficult for many people to find a suitable specialist.
Five tips on how you can still get an appointment promptly:
Tip 1: Have your family doctor arrange an appointment
If you can’t get a suitable specialist appointment yourself, you can ask your family doctor to arrange one. You usually have good chances there: since January 2023, family doctors have received a surcharge of 15 euros if they can arrange an urgent specialist appointment for one of their patients.
Important: The family doctor referral is not intended for acute or life-threatening complaints. In such cases you will be forwarded directly to the relevant authorities.
Tip 2: Use appointment service points
The appointment service point of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians can also help you find an appointment with a specialist. This can be done either online or by telephone on 116 117. In this case, however, you are not entitled to a specific doctor.
You generally need a doctor’s referral to arrange an appointment. Exceptions are appointments with ophthalmologists, gynecologists, psychotherapeutic consultations for adults and children as well as pediatricians and adolescent doctors.
If the referral also contains an urgency code from the family doctor, you will receive suggestions for appointments within the next four weeks from the appointment service center. However, without this code, the suggested dates can be up to twelve weeks in the future.
What is the urgency code?
If the family doctor believes that an appointment is urgently needed, he or she can issue a referral with an urgency code. This is a printed twelve-digit code. It is a prerequisite for arranging a specialist appointment within four weeks.
Many statutory health insurance companies also offer a free appointment service. Please note, however, that even there the selection of specialists may be limited.
Tip 3: Use apps to make appointments
You can also make an appointment with a specialist using apps such as Doctolib. There you can easily search for free appointments with doctors in your area and book them directly.
Tip 4: Arrange a video consultation
Some concerns can also be clarified with the doctor via video consultation. Many health insurance companies organize such telemedical consultations, which are often available more quickly than appointments in the doctor’s office.
No appointment with a specialist: Can I also go to the emergency room?
If you do not have a timely appointment with a specialist, you should go to the hospital or the emergency room no alternative. These are intended exclusively for real emergencies.
Tip 5: Consider treatment abroad
In principle, people with statutory health insurance can also seek treatment within the European Union. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and ID card are required for this. Before planning treatment abroad, it is better to contact your health insurance company to find out about possible costs and benefits.