Going to a specialist - not resident in Berlin yet but EU member - Berlin forum

Going to a specialist - not resident in Berlin yet but EU member

3POSTS

7 years ago

Hi everyone,
I am Italian and living in Ireland at the moment.

I am hopefully moving to Berlin in the near future.

I will be in Berlin for 2 weeks in July and other 3 weeks in August, but I am not resident yet.

As I need to go to a specialist doctor, how will this work?

I read that you need to be referred from a general practitioner.

Or can I find a (private) doctor and go without referral?
If I need the referral, can I find a GP that accepts non-residents (privately)?

Thanks!

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beppi Germany/Singapore Expert

15644POSTS

7 years ago

As far as I know, your home health insurance covers you throughout the EU.
Since formalities are different in each country (and may even differ between insurers). I think you better ask your insurer instead of strangers on an Internet forum.
From what I heard, most insurers cover only emergency treatment while abroad. If you specifically travel to seek treatment abroad, this may not b included, or only after prior (written) approval (which may only be given if no alternative treatment is available in your country).

jsabina Member

3POSTS

7 years ago

Hi beppi, my question was not really related to how to cover the expense, I might be ok to pay for it privately.
My only question is how to contact a specialist doctor, if I can, if I need referrals or other aministrative procedures.
I am not travelling to health procedures, I am travelling for work but I need some specialist visit and I won't be able to do it here because there is not enough time.

My Irish insurance won't know for sure about it.

Thank you!

beppi Germany/Singapore Expert

15644POSTS

7 years ago

Unless it is an emergency, it is always better to call the doctor in advance and get an appointment (otherwise you may have to wait for hours or be told to come another time).
Private patients (who pay more than the insurances) often get preferential treatment.

jsabina Member

3POSTS

7 years ago

Thanks.
So can I call let's say a private ENT to get an appointment (paying for it), without a referral from a general practitioner?

I know I can do it in Italy, but it's not possible in Ireland.
I am not sure about Germany.

Thanks!

beppi Germany/Singapore Expert

15644POSTS

7 years ago

Yes, that should work.

TominStuttgart Germany Expert

2807POSTS

7 years ago

I think you will have to find a specialist and ask. The normal way is to get a referral from a general practitioner but that is due to insurance rules rather than legal requirements as far as I know. If your home insurance is not going to pay for something, you will probably have to pay out of pocket, something in Germany known as Selbstzahlerbasis. Medical procedures have fixed costs that can be charged to public insurers. For private insurers it is always a multiple of what the public insurance pays. Some things might for example be 1.5 times as expensive, others 4 or 5 times as much! If you pay yourself, they will almost surely charge you the maximum charge like for private insurance. For accidents or life threatening conditions things get done quickly but many specialists have waiting lists of a few months if one is publicly insured. So, if you are being charged the private rate, then at least one might get things expedited a bit.