What to do when you’re sick in Germany

Needing to see a doctor in Germany can be a challenging task. Have you been confused by selecting the correct doctor, getting an appointment, handling emergencies, and knowing the cost of medical treatments in Germany? Then this video will guide you through the German doctor system and clear your confusion.
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🔥 Ottonova - Private Health Insurance
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Sick Leave In Germany
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⏰ Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:34 - Most common doctors and specialists
05:18 - How to make a doctor's appointment
08:21 - What does a visit to the doctor look like?
14:20 - How do referrals work?
16:24 - How to handle an emergency
21:35 - How to handle sick leave
27:39 - How much does it cost to go to the doctor in Germany?
34:07 - How to get medicine
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We know how frustrating and painful it might be to move to a new country, especially if you don't fully speak the language. That's why we created Simple Germany.
Simple Germany provides tips & information in English about living in Germany as an expat. We talk about services that are friendly and easy to use to beat German bureaucracy. We also cover the cultural aspects of living in Germany. All of this brought to you from the eyes of an expat and a German duo. We want to help you settle in Germany more smoothly.🍻
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[@hannajung7512]

One correction right from the start: for SOME services, mostly concerning chronic conditions, it is necessary to register with a doctor, usually your "Hausarzt". This is important for people asthma, diabetes, rheuma, morbus hashimoto etc. to name just a few of those even younger people could have. These programs usually involve additional bloodtests, sometimes certain therapies and medications and often access to additional services of your inssurance like lessons on diet etc.

[@theserendipfox2223]

Second correction for public health care patients: The sick notes don‘t come as so many papers anymore. Since January 2022, there is no more paper for the health insurance provider. Instead, the doctor transmits the sick leave dates electronically to your insurance provider. Since January 2023, there is also no more paper that you get for the employer. Instead, you inform your employer that you went to the doctor and for how long you‘re expected to be off work, and the employer then contacts your health insurance provider to get the statement confirmed (which can take up to 9 business days!) Lots of people argue that this act to „reduce bureaucracy“ actually increases it, because it shifts the responsibility of processing the sick leave a bit more in the employer’s direction when the employee gets sick. Some doctors don‘t even give out the third paper anymore (the one for the patient) and they simply say, „the sick leave is electronically transmitted now, bye“.

[@hge437]

I would add one thing. If you would like to see a doctor outside the usual Hausarzt hour, you can search for the Bereitschaftpraxis in your city for the after-hour doctor

[@Visitkarte]

Depending on where you live, I truly recommend looking for a Hausarzt even if you don’t need them yet, because there might be waiting lists. Also, please take your immunization card with you so they can check if your immunizations are up-to-date and tell (or better yet: write) your medical history- chronic diseases, medications, past surgeries, family history, smoking and alcohol habits… stuff like that. Putting in your favorite language to communicate might be very helpful if your doctor speaks it. EDIT: it’s colonoscopy. Proctoscopy is just the last 20 -30 cm of the big bowel - not the entire colon.

[@MilicusO]

I started following your channel when I first tought about working and living in Germany. Your vidoes have helped me so much to understand how life in Germany works and what to expect. Six months later, I am here in Germany and it feels like your content is now even more important for me, as I had no idea what to do if I get sick :D Thanks a lot!

[@simplegermany]

That is so fantastic to read that you made your move happen and our content guided and will guide you along the way 🤗

[@Cintillo]

Same, they have been my "go-to site" since I arrived.

[@probinsiyanagwapa7185]

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[@hannajung7512]

third and hopefully last correction: every area has a "ärztlicher Notdienst", if you need a doctor, but not a hospital, like in the described problem you can go there and see a doctor, they are open over night, on holydays and weekends. In some areas the "Notdienst" is in the same building as the emergency room. Since it is often easier and faster to have one reception, that refers the patients coming in either as "emergency" or "just needs a prescription" This is especcially important if you need a Plan B, because those are prescription only (courtesy of our past all male health ministers insisting that women cannot be trusted with those -.-)

[@n1vca]

Wow, I am always impressed that even as a German I am learning a few little details I didn't know about. Fantastic research and summary, per usual. Ladies, you rock!

[@karinland8533]

I would like to add: there are some test which are not covered by some insurances, but you doctor might recommend them. Those are often called IGEL-Leistung. One example would be an glaucoma screening at the eye doctor maybe an pap smear in younger age…. You are also able to make appointments at a physio therapist, you just have to pay you self. Then you would be a Selbstzahler.

[@Gandhilgvg]

I find it weird in my experience at Frankfurt. In India, where we have 100 of private specialised doctors available on your request - Germany bothers you a lot to find a doctor. I experienced it in Goethe University Hospital, a pathetic patient care. Germany needs to learn a lot.

[@hannajung7512]

additional correction: for a hospital procedure you need a "Einweisung" not an "Überweisung". "Überweisung" are for ambulant services only. This is important because several hospitals offer normal doctor services in specialised fields, too. Like education on diabetes, some special diagnostics etc. for THOSE you need a "Überweisung", but for everything that involves you getting a bed in the hospital you need an "Einweisung"

[@simplegermany]

Huh, our sheet states Überweisung for the surgery.

[@user-pm3bn3vc8w]

Thank you so informative ❤

[@dr.eckhardschmidt5039]

Actually, you can go to your doctor for just five different dental screening at least two times per year, or even more often depending on the status of your teeth. When you go to hospital let's see for a surgery an emergency you do do not get a sick note you just get a form from the hospital that you are inhouse.

[@makeupgirl8726]

Love your video’s, Ive learned so much watching your channel 😊

[@damlab]

This channel makes our life really “smoother”. I am happy for this video. Thank you for the effort.

[@sivakamit2575]

Thank you so much for the Useful content sisters🙏.

[@akro72]

There is an additional kind of assurance you should be aware of: Berufsgenossenschaft. It is for accidents related to work, for employees only. Just remember to always tell your doctor and HR if you had an accident at work or during your commute. You will get appointments instantly. And no Rezeptgebühr , AFAIK.

[@chellastation]

Thank you 😊 🙏

[@oaanouar]

This video is so needed ...since weeks I'm trying to get an appointment... this video is gold ! Thanks a lot

[@priyankavyas12]

Smoothly ~~~ Love your videos. You guys are Godsend. ❤

[@AnelyBek]

This video is so helpful! Thank you

[@moshmoshca]

Loved this one! I laughed out loud so many times! Also, great and useful information, as usual. ♥

[@saweryn2521]

In this video I found a lot of useful knowledge. Good job 👍

[@Cintillo]

Like always, great video girls

[@piusmugambi4080]

Thanks so much your vedios has been informative since am new here in germany three months now

[@xzerr]

Super useful, thank you! Also would be super cool a little bit of fun content in a separate video like Tatütata for the ambulance ) And the story of Jen getting through the German health system would be useful as well

[@sateeshprathapani]

Thank you for the information. It really helped me to book a doctor's appointment! Calling the insurance company to book an appointment worked for me.

[@sherdogsss]

I like the bloopers at the end of the videos :)

[@muneika4395]

Danke Jen und Yvonne für die weitere Informationen ☺️ Sehr hilreich und deine Videos sind ganz empfehlenswert!😊 Hallo aus den Philippinen 😊

[@raemendonca]

I am a product manager and just wanted to commend on Don Norman's book on the bookshelf even before watching the video - fantastic business literature you have there! Grüße!

[@johnwick8035]

1. As expected the video was very much useful and needed 2. Love the T-shirt Jen was wearing 3. The clarity in the explanation was really good 4. Medical system in my home country seems a lot simpler and more easy...

[@beatrixpastoors1104]

Wow, was für ein tolles Video! Gut recherchiert, sehr informativ und alle Aspekte sind berücksichtigt. Super!

[@simplegermany]

Danke Beatrix, schön wieder von dir zu lesen. 😊

[@clivewilliams3661]

A while ago my mother visited her sister in Gummersbach, she had a sore throat that had persisted for some time. She arrived on a Sunday and her sister suggested she see the local doctor on Monday morning. They simply went to the doctor without an appointment, who then referred her to the NHO that afternoon. The NHO prescribed some pills and she enjoyed the rest of her visit without the sore throat. Neither doctor asked to see her E111 fee exemption. It was all so simple and straight forward.

[@darrylrichman]

You two are so cute! My friend in Karlsruhe calls the Krankschreibung a gelben Urlaub. 🙂

[@fulvakubavat]

Much awaited topic. Thank you for details that you provide on everything. More power to you both.

[@rishiraj2548]

Yes

[@LegendaryStudiosCanada]

Canada is like that too, often we need a Referral.

[@rishiraj2548]

Thanks

[@cavila31]

Thanks SO SO much for making this video! German healthcare demystified 😀

[@lena421]

Important thing to mention is that you can't just go to any Hausarzt. Since there aren't a lot of doctors and working hours are very limited, a lot of doctors don't take any new patients. Maybe it's easier in big cities, but I am in smaller town and I had to call a bunch of doctors when I moved before finding one in another town nearby who was accepting new patients. That aside, I've been having some issues for the past few months and it's been such a hassle to get medical care. Back in Argentina, I've had these issues before and I just go to the doctor I need when I need it, get treated and recover within a week. Here it's been over a month a half without anything other than ibuprofen, which caused me gastritis, so now I have the extra issue to deal with. I wanted to get a blood test just to see if anything is off because it's been too long without improvement and I was told since I got a blood test 3 years ago and I'm under 35, insurance doesn't cover it. Getting an appointment for most specialists can take months even if you're in pain and the treatment options seem to be extremely limited. If you need medical care, you will probably have to insist a lot to get it.

[@simplegermany]

Seems like you haven't had the best experience. We can imagine that in smaller towns the availabilities of doctors can be different. But we would not stop trying to get accepted by a different doctor if you are currently not satisfied with yours.

[@hannajung7512]

In the case of an acute illness every registered doctor HAS to take you in, what they do mean, when they say they do not take in additionl patients is, that they cannot provide prophylactic and long term therapy services to more people. But if you just need an antibiotic and a sick leave they have to do that and must nit send you away.

[@hannajung7512]

and when it is about a permanent change for prophylactics you often can ask to be set on a waiting list. Additionally: you can make it so a doctor CAN refuse to treat you because the basis of trust is not there: just be really, really annoying. After that the remaining doctor HAS to take you in because you have nowhere else to go. But be careful with burning bridges like that. Doctors might talk to one another in private.

[@hannajung7512]

Sorry for spamming you. I just read you are from Argentina. In case you are read as "foreigner", especially as "southener" and female, you will be in for a ride. Sadly Germany has some pervasive issues with racism and sexism in medicine. Even when the doctor isn't purposefully dismissing you. There is a wide spread idea that people "from the South" are whiny and overexagerating their pain (I was literally taught a term for that "phenomenon" as a nurse apprentice some years ago). In addition women are often dismissed as being overly sensitive. This can sadly only be solved by educating yourself on exactly what services your insurance pays, which one can be asked for as IGLE and learn the terminology to describe your problem, in addition having an idea which specialist you want to see for it, because for some probiems your Hausarzt simply cannot help you, you have to go to a specialist. And try to bring a "german looking" man with you who is giving you back up on how bad your pain is... this is no guarantee, but often helps. All I can say, is that I am sorry if it is all what I just described that caused the problem, the medical community is in change and trys to disolve those racist and sexists ideas, that are left overs from a time we should have overcome by now.

[@milenavillegas7125]

Hola! Que increíble son sus vídeos. Ojalá pudieran hacer uno en español... Estoy segura que muchos desean eso! Abrazos!

[@alanabelcon]

Your videos are always so timely! I have my first doctor's appointment in Germany tomorrow morning! Also, I got my Smoothly t-shirt last week and wore it on Friday for my birthday. 😍

[@simplegermany]

Woop woop! Happy belated birthday! 🥳

[@alanabelcon]

@@simplegermany danke schon!

[@PalmyraSchwarz]

Once again well researched tips, this time about the health system. The nice thing about your videos is that the information can also be valuable for locals, especially if you have only marginally dealt with the content yourself.

[@drsarikaamdekar3990]

To take an appointment is a big question. Still, if we are registered already. one good part is "it increases the bearing capacity (sometimes:) )".

[@byghostlight1]

thanks, this will be helpful. I cant believe it is only 31 days until I arrive in Germany for a month :)

[@akro72]

And in big companies, there is a Betriebsarzt. Just saying. Doctor's appointments during office hours.

[@future......]

Thanks to hard tired in that way and thanks for this viedeos....

[@akro72]

Nearly all public health insurances offer access to a medical hotline for their clients. Have a look at the web page of your assurance. Usually an expert will call back after a few minutes. I got valuable help there a few times.

[@pedrocintra]

Awesome video as always! I'd be plased to see a video about: 1 - how to pay things in Germany (it's very different from my home country), such as city taxes, fines, etc. 2 - how to handle the German mail service (how to send a letter, how to register SEPA for automatic payments) 3 - What kind of things we can do during Winter :) Liebe Grüße

[@simplegermany]

Hey Pedro! Thanks for your suggestions! Could you give a bit more detail about what you mean for topic 1? We do have some content around topics 2 and 3 :) Videos about winter: How to survive / what to do: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bn2bg2CDf8acpbs What to wear to not freeze: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpSri3mni8yNoK8 Sending a letter: Video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYK9gIGVhsarjK8 Guide: www.simplegermany.com/how-to-send-a-letter-in-germany/

[@rahulsolanki3357]

Great explanation, much awaited video. Last year we saved our neighbors life by calling on 112, first it was difficult to convey the problem in German, but then requested some language help and doctor started speaking superb English. Ambulance arrived in exact 3 minutes and saved the patient. Anyway lots of positive energy to Queens.

[@simplegermany]

Wow, happy to hear you were able to act fast and got help fast 😊

[@ThePeterasd]

informative

[@fannychristozova8158]

I feel much relief and confidence now with all of this information. It all makes sense, combined with the salaries topic, the payslips, the insurances.. both in videos and guides! Two major differences I spotted which immediately made me raise eyebrows (and two differences for this topic is basically all else is the same) The personal doctor gets chosen when/after you already need medical attention of any kind? Here every household is obligated to be registered with someone, at all times. A family member can go for years (meaning they've been perfectly well) without seeing their personal doctor's face even for the first time. Like the scenario Jen mentioned which would be treated as very weird. 😂 Second is you buy medecines with Rezept for 5 Euro? By the way we also have the same word for prescription and recipe, and it's the German word, we say [re'tsepta]. In a speech I would have hard time with these just the same. 😅 So with public health insurance and a prescription from your doctor you pay 5 Eu. per item in the Apottheke? This episode is a masterpiece, girls! You go into many details and include some very thoughtful lines in German, much appreciated. Also, I love Jen's t-shirt - Things will be OK. 🎪

[@simplegermany]

Yes, for most prescriptions and public health insurance you will pay 5 Euro per item at the moment. There are probably exceptions for more unusual medicine though. Haha, unfortunately, you don't see the rest of Jen's shirt. There is a T-Rex running away from a meteorite 🤣

[@fannychristozova8158]

@@simplegermany When you do a short, please make so that we see the T-Rex! 🤣😂 I'm very much into ideas put into clothing, both in humor and true messages, and you nail it! (Still waiting for my Smoothly) 😊

[@simplegermany]

We hope it will arrive soon!!!

[@TheWuschelMUC]

If you are in the public health insurance you can go to any doctor who treats public health insurance patients ("Alle Kassen"). The problem is: some surgeries are too popular, so they do not take new patients. Your health insurance might help you to find a doctor in reasonable distance.

[@Yosh001]

Not sure if it is still the case but for opting out of the public health insurance and get a solely private insurance you need to have a certain yearly rather high income. The reason is/was that you really need to pay everything in advance by yourself and can re-claim it after you receive the bill/invoice and there often is some timely gap between the refund of the insurance and your expenses. There is however an option for public health insurance members to choose a private additional insurance (Zusatzversichrung) which either refunds services that the “Kasse” doesn’t offer or give you a single room in a hospital or enables you to be treated by the head of the medical department when in hospital. Also, there are private additional tariffs for everything concerning your teeth where the “standard” is just the necessary and if you want to have it more “pretty” they take over the additional costs. IGeL (Individuelle Gesundheitsleistungen) services were already mentioned and as this is pretty much the only way to increase the income of the doctor with public health insurance members, some doctors’ offices quite aggressively advertise for those in my experience. If you decide to use them, that is the only time you really need pay cash at the counter as a member of the public insurance.

[@simplegermany]

Thanks for your insights. We agree that some doctors push for additional IGeL exams, while others don't at all and we have to insist on them every single time. Never paid for them directly though, but we are sure, practices can vary slightly from doctor to doctor. 😊

[@Anna-xn8ds]

I'm glad you made this. I'm a dual USA/German citizen leaving soon to spend my final years (45 now) in Germany. I was just now reading in an expat group how horrible the healthcare in Germany is.

[@simplegermany]

Well 'horrible' is a loose word. It all depends on what you are used to, what you expect, and how you approach doctors etc.. There are plenty of people describing the German health system as heaven compared to their home country. So as always, perspective is key.

[@noellewest4347]

I'm from the States (44 years old) and have lived in Germany for 2 years. The health system here is a bit frustrating and confusing, but it's definitely not horrible (in my experience). One of the reasons I've left the States is because of their farce of a healthcare system there.

[@Al69BfR]

So my family doctor recommends when I need to see a specialist to make the appointment first and then come back to get the referral. Or sometimes the doctor makes the appointment her-/himself or his/her employees at the front desk are doing it. So if it‘s close to the end of the Quartal you can ask for the opportunity to make the appointment first and come back for the referral. And if you need a stationary therapy in a hospital you need an „Einweisung“ from your family doctor. But there are also ambulances where you just get your treatment and can leave immediately or at least at the same day. But afaik and iirc you still need a „Überweisung“. 🤔 So emergency rooms are mostly for injuries that have to be treated as soon as possible because it could get worse if not. Or it‘s something life threatening like a heart attack or a severe illness with unclear cause that could get you in real trouble it it‘s not treated immediately, like i.e. COVID. If it‘s a injury or a illness you would make an appointment at your family doctor for but it‘s on a weekend, then there is the Notdienst, which often has an office you can visit when your doctor‘s office is closed. And you not only can go to the dentist once a year, if you‘re a Kassenpatient you have to go once a year for a checkup or otherwise the amout of money your insurance will pay for dentures is reduced depending on how often you missed your checkup in the last ten years or so.

[@ajithraimend]

Big fan

[@akro72]

Also to note: You do not have to take vacation for going to the doctor.

[@kalyanir2420]

Hey, FYI I am from India and had an appointment for my daughter here in Düsseldorf. We have a private insurance and we had to pay 40euros at the Kinderarzt and 20euros medicine at Apotheke. We will reimburse this amount from our insurance company. Receptionist saw the insurance and said you have to pay right now. I hope it's the right procedure.

[@JonasReichert1992]

Yes. With Private Insurance you usually have to pay upfront and than get your money back from the insurance. It’s just that most people don’t have private insurance in Germany.

[@janvozar9715]

Hi, regarding fee for staying over night in the hospital, There is a limit 280 EUR per year. And if you stay in the hospital more days, you get "Aufenthaltsbescheinigung" (certificate of residence) when you leave. You have to give this document to your employer. I was in the hospital more than one month. 😞

[@simplegermany]

Ah, good to know. Thanks for sharing and we hope you are feeling better!

[@janvozar9715]

@@simplegermany it was very good German experience ... one of my take away... doctors speak English but nurses only German. So, I had "schnell Deutschkurs" and I was giving English conversation classes 🙂

[@teeaeliade]

Hi, girls! I moved to Germany 2 months ago and your videos were my survival guide. However, I need some info on these topics: 1. Why nobody recommends me a haircut salon? I am trying to find a good hairstylist- wrote on several groups and no lady answered. A video on beauty services please? 2. How an earth can I find and choose a Family Doctor? 3. How do we find a midwife? I am planning on having a baby and I have no clue what to do.

[@simplegermany]

Happy to read that our content has been helpful 😊. To answer your questions: 1. There is an abundance of hair salons (Friseur) in Germany, just go to one, speak to them what you would like to have done and try them out. We also tried 2-3 different salons until we found the one we have been going to for the past 5 years. 2. The way we describe it in the video. You take one of the 3 methods we discuss to look for a Hausarzt and make an appointment via your chosen method. 3. That can be a bit trickier and highly depends on where you live. In some cities, you need to register with a general midwife center (Hebammenzentrale) in other cities, you can simply find one yourself. Here is an online portal in English, which helps you find a midwife: www.ammely.de/?service=video&page=Root&gclid=Cj0KCQiAmaibBhCAARIsAKUlaKR7D0dph8_SA_hZ-t7qVPiwel64ivTCtLSXwZAQfPiLZNEEg9yQulEaAthMEALw_wcB&language=en

[@grischakugelmann2660]

You should have always a dedicated 'Notarzt', not only a dedicated 'Notapotheke'. cheers

[@crisaroon1]

I visited Germany last month and got a fever, strangly I could not get Panadol from the Apotheke without prescribsion.

[@Al69BfR]

Perhaps the name Rezept/recipe is a remnant from times where the prescription was a literal recipe for the pharmacist to make a specific medicine for the patient. 🤔

[@simplegermany]

Good point :)

[@JDHANTE]

Thanks a lot for this wonderful information & just one doubt. Just wondering why some of them talking about a long waiting queue for an appointment from the doctor? Thanks

[@simplegermany]

Glad you have liked the information in the video :). Could you please elaborate what you mean?

[@maryw1924]

Thank you for the video. Does the Notarzt always come with an ambulance? When would I call for a Notarzt? 2. How do I know if I need a prescription vs. having an over the counter medication?

[@simplegermany]

We believe that the responder of your 112 call will decide whether to also dispatch a Notarzt or not. But we have no real life experience here. Only 'light' medicine is prescription free, for example Ibuprofen 400 you can buy at a pharmacy, but Ibu 600 you would need a prescription for.

[@ankitaverma1931]

I had a very bad experience last year when my husband got cold, fever , weakness in Christmas time when my hausartz was on leave. We tried going to hospital and no one accepted us. He travelled twice or thrice to diff artz and hospital but no luck which made his health worse. Our situation was bad since we didn't know what to do. Generally I like things about Germany but there are things which are really wierd and I hate it

[@ventana100]

I'm an international student and will stay in the Berlin area for two months. I started feeling something in my ear and I didn't know exactly what to do. My university covers emergency costs, but unlikely, a "non-emergency" issue like an ear illness that however can evolve into something chronic if I don't treat it as soon as possible. This morning I called to a otorhinolaryngologist near the place I'm staying. My experience in the phone call was as you described. The receptionist said that she spoke little English, then, I asked some questions and explained my insurance situation. Next, she hung up the phone without saying anything. I insisted and called again not knowing if that was the best idea after what happened. I tried to be more straightforward the second time I called, and was able to make an appointment. When I asked about the cost, she said "I don't know." I wonder if from her mindset, she expects that I provide my private or public insurance card, as you mentioned in this video, which I don't have (just the international emergency insurance). The alternative, is that they charge me an unfair amount of money. Do you think is possible for a person in my situation to make an appointment, being treated, and not being scammed with unreasonable costs? This video was extremely helpful, thanks a lot!

[@simplegermany]

Thanks for sharing your experience. In your case, we would think that you present yourself as a Selbstzahler, meaning you pay yourself. It is pretty much being handled like privately insured where the doctor invoices you - difference being that you won't ask for the reimbursement from your insurance. That should land you in the regular cost structure. Hope your ear gets better soon!

[@ventana100]

@@simplegermany Thank you so much for your response and congratulations for your channel, which I've just discovered! :)

[@howiseait2213]

Yet again another powerful video. So important a topic talked about in the most detailed and fun way possible. Couldn't have been better. Well done! 👏 I'd like to point out a few observations, assuming that's okay. 1. The sick leave letter (Krankschreibung) no longer comes in yellow colour paper , but in white paper (for all three - self, insurance and for employer). This is a relatively recent change, at least as I was told by my doctor upon request for same last month or thereabout. 2. The doctors prescription (Rezepte) comes in either of two colours - pink or blue depends on if it's intended for an "over the counter" type of medicine ( 100% self paid) or a more serious/antibiotics type (the most part paid by your insurance, and only a fraction of the amount to be paid by you...5 or 10€ usually as mentioned already in the video). This also extends to any form of medical aids for example bandages as would be prescribed by your orthopedic doctor (I mean the factional payment, this time in most cases 10€ regardless of the total amount of the medical aid) at least from my personal experience. Just thought to mention these in addition. Again, many thanks to you Jen and Yvonne for always dishing out unarguably the most relevant topics there are. May you never run out of ideas! 🙂 Liebe Grüße aus Bremen! ❤️

[@simplegermany]

Thanks a lot for sharing your experiences. Much appreciated! Our slips from some months ago were still yellow, but I guess those changes also don't happen in unity across all of Germany 😅

[@howiseait2213]

@@simplegermany Absolutely. Thanks for your amazing contents! 🙂

[@07U]

This video comes right on time for me! I just received my public insurance card, but then I was super confused about how to actually set an appointment. So, let me see if I understand it... (I still didn't see all of the video - stopped at "What does a visit to the doctor look like?") Where I come from, doctors work with different public insurance companies, meaning that if you chose insurance A, you may not be able to see a doctor who does not work with them. In Germany, the doctors give service to either publicly or privately insured patients, meaning that I can just go see any doctor that serves the public population (as I have public insurance)? Is that correct? Thank you so much for the information!

[@simplegermany]

That is correct :) You can go to any doctor that accepts publicly insured residents :)

[@kleefan8]

Another great video! I just checked your website for the discussion about private and public health insurance, and I am completely blown away by how thoroughly you cover everything! 👏 Sehr gut gemacht! 🤗

[@leDespicable]

One thing that I hope they keep after Covid is not having to show up to get a sick note for a cold. Yes, there may be potential for abuse, but people that really wanna abuse the system are gonna find a way. I think it's a good thing that now you don't have to go there, sit in the waiting room and get everyone else that's there for a different reason sick as well.

[@future......]

Ilove german but its allready ithink its hard to transelate in english or arabic so good to learning arabic adnd then english.... go with that......

[@miem9775]

I think it is possible to take your referral up into the next Quartal.

[@simplegermany]

In our personal experience, we have always needed to get a new referral if its a new quarter.

[@barth_tico]

I got sick on Friday and was able to find a doctor until Monday 😅

[@barth_tico]

In the other hand, it was super affordable. I was on vacations.

[@sugandha__arora]

Very informative video! I have a query here- what if I got sick on 21st March and couldn't go to office till 23rd March. And If got an appointment with the doctor on 23rd March then, will he be able to provide me with the sick note for the last three days for which I was absent in the office. I mean can I request the sick note for specific dates? OR it is up to the doctor to add the specific dates?

[@simplegermany]

That highly depends on your situation, but I have had cases where a sick note was able to be dated a day back. You need to speak to your doctor and supervisor 😊

[@juricarmichael2534]

Have a tea then wait and see!! 😳 🤣🤣 Maybe i haven't paid enough attention, but did you mention the phone number 116117, too?

[@simplegermany]

We did not, just learned about it now 😅. Perfect topic for our shorts follow-up in a few days 😉

[@future......]

Normal....

[@Anna-xn8ds]

It all sounds very much like it runs in the USA. I have only gotten over-the-counter allergy medication in Germany.

[@supremachine]

Just fell ill. Does a general practitioner visit also cost us nothing under public health insurance? Thank you guys!

[@simplegermany]

Whatever 116117 suggests should be covered by the public health insurance. If not, they should inform you of possible costs.

[@supremachine]

@@simplegermany Danke!

[@toriviar4091]

Can you stay on public insurance if you are rich or do you have to switch to private insurance once you reach a certain income threshold?

[@simplegermany]

You don't have to leave public insurance if you don't want to.

[@talibdaryabi9434]

The doctorlib app doesn't support English, and I can't use it as an international student. Do you have any other suitable app suggestions for me?

[@Sophie-td8nr]

I understood that Doctors are required by Law to give us our Medical records, well, we have a Doctor that is literally refusing to give us our records so how to get them?

[@abernardes2]

Question ! If you are on holiday in Germany and you feel unwell or have an accident, how does it work?

[@simplegermany]

The same way. You should have travel insurance, which would reimburse the cost.

[@adrianahevia6268]

Go to Emergencies for an accident

[@kaworunagisa4009]

A question. Do German doctors listen to you if you try describing your previous medical history? For example, I have an undiagnosed (but very obvious and hard to miss) chronic bronchitis (or rather, not diagnosed as "chronic"), and almost every time I catch a cold, it morphs into an episode of bacterial bronchitis which takes up to a month (sometimes more) to clear completely, and by the time it's cleared my immune system is so f-ed up that I catch the next virus I encounter, rinse, repeat. And the few times I had to deal with local doctors when I needed an actual sick leave, they "listened" to me with glassy eyes, prescribed whichever meds were paying them at the time, and gave me the boot, and when I came for the next visit a few days later with bronchitis on top of the cold, they blamed me for "not following instructions" (even though I do all of those and more, been trained by my paediatrician Mommy Dearest) and weren't helpful at all. Also, on an unrelated to the topic but kind of related note, would it negatively affect my chances of employment if I disclose my history with colds and bronchitis to a potential employer and try to bargain for home office, at least in winter?

[@simplegermany]

Woah that does not sound nice. To be honest, every doctor is different and as we describe and others mention in the comments, it is quite common to try different doctors until you find one you trust and listens to you.

[@turjo119]

Huh... watching this from my bed coz I got COVID this week and now I'm stuck in my room for a while so might as well learn about how to navigate the German healthcare system.

[@simplegermany]

We wish you a speedy recovery! 😊

[@turjo119]

@@simplegermany Thank you! Much appreciated!

[@turjo119]

I have now recovered and tested negative. Now I gotta find a HausArzt 😓

[@dadavlogs3810]

Why is it so complicated......In India, I directly go to doctor and get checkup unless if I have to get operation.

[@simplegermany]

Well it is the same in Germany. You just need to make an appointment and show your health insurance card :)

[@peterfischer7084]

A Darmspiegelung is a colonoscopy, not a proctoscopy.

[@kshitijkolas]

Is it true that once you go for private insurance you can not go back to public insurance?

[@simplegermany]

It is a tricky situation. We have written in detail about it in our written guide: www.simplegermany.com/private-vs-public-health-insurance-germany/#How_to_change_health_insurance_from_private_to_public_in_Germany

[@kshitijkolas]

@@simplegermany thank you!

[@tirth09]

I'm not sure but I was finding the Doctolib app to be in German language as well. Is that right or there is an English version?

[@simplegermany]

You are right, it's in German only, but quite intuitive and you can use the Chrome feature to translate to English.

[@neutrinohanks9226]

I want to be informed about this topic and I like your detailed and well researched content in general. But 38 minutes is too overwhelming. I can’t seem to start this video 😅. The length makes it feel like a university lecture. Very informative and educative of course, but do people honestly enjoy the long session? Well if you have been actively searching for the knowledge then maybe the condensed and detailed long video is suitable, but for a casual viewer like me it feels too big. Maybe it’s because I know the content will be good and I do want to watch to the end which makes it overwhelming. For others, maybe they will just go through it partly without any mental commitment to themselves 😂😂 Anyways, I might have to come back to it later and watch in 2X. Hope this comment will be of some value to Jen and Youvane. Thank you for pushing out the quality content as always guys. Also I love your blogs on the website. Keep rocking! - Bipin

[@fannychristozova8158]

Neutrino, speaking of casual viewers, I'm a casual viewer of cats videos. Short, fun, cute, you know. But right here, among all 27 thousand subscribers, I'm a community member and very proudly so! While you wish to contribute wih your best piece of advice, it is better to consider that each week is a separate topic, and each topic means lots and lots of research, then writing, then asking all kinds of (potential) questions and evaluating on them. (Not even starting to think what it takes to gather and sort out all the relevant and verified info and put it together). So would you rather have the girls of SG just do a 4 mins of "this is this and that is that"? Perhaps you would, in case the channel means to you what cat videos mean to me. This is a real professional and amazing quality work. And I mean WORK, we LOVE them long! And how hard is it to write Yvonne's name correctly?

[@neutrinohanks9226]

@@fannychristozova8158 Well I understand your point and I didn’t mean to discredit the hard work. I am just expressing my views.

[@simplegermany]

Thank you for both of your inputs. We always strive to give the best possible answer per topic that will answer small but relevant detailed questions. Depending on the topic that sometimes requires more time and sometimes less. By dividing the video in chapters, we strive to give everyone the chance to watch what is most relevant at the time of watching or being able to come back to it, once a related question arises 😊

[@fannychristozova8158]

@@simplegermany Indeed. I've come across a lot of content creators who also have thoughtful ideas, but very often they would bluff and fluff for half an hour before beginning to give points on what the title actually says. There's no such thing with you! Speaking right at the topic always starts from second one and it's only building up to important details. You can guess I get triggered at suggestions to you, of all people, for shorter videos.. No. 😂

[@Al69BfR]

In which category do I find the pneumologist,,the Lungenfacharzt?

[@simplegermany]

Probably with a referral.

[@joan98610]

Going to the doctor in Germany is such a nightmare 😭

[@simplegermany]

We hope our video helps you get a better experience 😊

[@janer1834]

Just wondering if antibiotics are available without a prescription at an apotheke? In the case where Jen had a fever, would she have had to wait until the Monday for antibiotics, even if the fever was very high, or would she then have taken herself back to the ER?

[@simplegermany]

No, antibiotics are not available over the counter.

[@reginas.3491]

In Germany antibiotics are only available WITH prescription. Also (most) Doctors only prescribe them when it makes sense for therapy. Not because the patient asks for it.

[@janer1834]

@@reginas.3491 Same applies here in Britain, although not necessarily in other countries. However, here we have a out of hours service, where you could talk to a Doctor when you're not ill enough to necessitate a visit to hospital. (I must admit that it not working too well recently, as most of our health care isn't unfortunately.)

[@martinpahl5652]

You should not self diagnose yourself antibiotics for fever, as there are many causes for fever which have nothing to do with bacteria, i.e. antibiotics will be useless and only help to induce antibiotics resistance.

[@janer1834]

@Martin Pahl I am well aware of that. There are some countries however, where they are available over the counter, so I was just asking what the situation in Germany was. Also if there was an on call GP service on weekends/Bank Holidays.

[@VijaySingh-el4fg]

I got job offer in Germany, cologne with 72 thousand euro per year salary. My experience 7 years. Is it ok or should I negotiate more? Pls guide

[@simplegermany]

That is a very subjective question. We have tried to answer it through our video (kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6jPmmt6hc-Mpas) and guide (www.simplegermany.com/what-is-a-good-salary-in-germany/). At the end the decision is yours.

[@ayeshaiftikhar338]

Hey ladies, Are the medicines covered by Health insurance provider? I am publicly insured but I paid like 25 Euros for the medicines and don't really know how this works in Germany?

[@simplegermany]

Most often you have a co-payment of around 5 euros for prescription medicine. It depends a bit on what it is.

[@mistervacation23]

To the heavens We all shout, get well quick to our favorite kraut!

[@muhammadzakariya5802]

In Germany, how necessary is drinking/going to bars? I'm Muslim, and we don't drink. Will this be accepted by other Germans?

[@simplegermany]

Yes of course. Although drinking alcohol is a big part of the German culture, we know Germans who do not drink :)

[@FabiWe91]

I don't drink, my social anxiety makes me avoid bars and I grew up in Germany, avoiding these situations successfully. You can totally survive without all this here, no worries. Also there are Muslim communities everywhere, so people are used to Muslims not having alcohol. It's perfectly normal and accepted.

[@thomasreiser]

Walgreens and CVS are major US pharmacy chains

[@guptaanu1995]

Go to a doctor, when you need a doctor? I only get appointments 2 weeks in advance, so that doesn't work.

[@simplegermany]

For specialists that's true. But for a Hausarzt there is always a Sprechstunde for acute illness. You need to be persistent if they tell you there is no slot.

[@monikadeinbeck4760]

you absolutely do not need a referal for a psychotherapist

[@simplegermany]

Wow that is interesting to read. We have real life examples where you absolutely need to. Maybe it depends again on the type of health insurance or whether you want to pay it out of your own pocket 😊

[@prstidigitateur2814]

It's colonoscopy, not proctoscopy =)

[@_Yannex]

If you get an Uberweisung you'll driven to the special doctor by an Uber 🚖

[@simplegermany]

In some cases, yes. But you need to be unable to get to the doctor yourself. E.g. my granny gets the taxi paid, but I would not if I have other means (e.g. public transport)

[@_Yannex]

@@simplegermany Yvonne, weiß ich doch 😂😂 Sollte eigentlich ein Wortspiel sein 🤷

[@MrDanielElliot]

Thank you for your information. My question is if German doctors racist or antisemitic??