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“Treatment in Germany” is one of the most popular internet searches. The quality of medical services provided in German medical centres and the high qualifications of doctors are known far beyond the borders of the European Union. Every day hundreds of patients look into organising treatment or diagnostics in German clinics. The Internet offers a lot of options to choose from, but how to choose the most suitable and transparent one? MediGlobus specialists will tell you how to come for treatment in Germany.
Medical tourism in Germany
Germany accepts patients from all corners of the world for treatment. Their number is increasing every year. Over 250,000 foreigners visited the country in 2021. Despite the openness of access to medical services, there are certain conditions and sometimes restrictions.
Many foreign patients (especially citizens of European, Middle and Far Eastern countries) usually need to have proof of visit to the medical centre – an invitation, a valid visa (if necessary), proof of sufficient funds to finance treatment (most often in the form of a deposit account).
Despite meeting all the above conditions, people from countries with increased migration may encounter difficulties in obtaining a visa, as the right to issue a permit to enter the country belongs exclusively to the German border and consular authorities.
For more information about organising a medical trip to Germany for diagnosis or treatment, please contact the MediGlobus coordinators. We will help you to choose the right clinic and competent doctor.
WHAT ARE THE PRICES FOR TREATING FOREIGN PATIENTS?
The price of medical and diagnostic services in Germany varies depending on many factors. Thus, its level is influenced by the following:
the form of ownership of the medical centre (as a rule, in private medical centres the cost of treatment can be higher than in public ones);
the level of the treating doctor (the more famous the doctor, the higher his fee may be, for example, for surgery);
the federal state in which the medical centre is located (the cost of medical services determined by the doctors’ chambers of different states differs by a certain percentage);
the inclusion of organisational services in the cost of treatment.
Read: WHAT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ON THE TREATMENT OF FOREIGN PATIENTS?
Today, the pricing system for medical services in Germany is designed specially, which means that there is no appreciable difference between the cost for a foreigner and a German citizen who does not have insurance.
For German citizens (unlike patients from other countries), the amount for treatment is paid by the insurance company in full or in part. The price range is reviewed annually and monitored by the German Ministry of Health.
Since Germany is a country with a rather high pricing index, the level of the price tag for medical services here will be higher than, for example, in Austria, Czech Republic, Italy, Turkey, but lower than in Switzerland USA, Canada, and in some cases in Israel.
UNICLINIC OR PRIVATE HOSPITAL?
According to German standards, all medical centres are licensed as long as they have certain equipment and meet the Federal State requirements. As a rule, large private medical centres and university hospitals are equipped in the same way, just as there is no particular difference in the level of practising doctors. However, there can still be a difference.
As a rule, university hospitals are quite difficult for foreigners to get into, as they are primarily designed to accommodate German and EU citizens, which can lead to long waiting times or the need for the assistance of specialised medical tourism agencies.
These large medical centres are the base for serious clinical trials and research activities, are affiliated with medical faculties and universities, and have practising staff and strong academic backgrounds.
Many complex surgical interventions can be performed exclusively in university centres (this applies to such areas of medicine as transplantology, oncohaematology, rare cancer cases, etc.). Large private medical centres also treat complex neurosurgical, oncological and other diseases, but it is much easier for a foreign patient to get here.
Among foreign patients, the most popular clinics in the field of medical tourism in Germany are considered to be such institutions as:
PRIVATE MEDICAL PRACTICE IN GERMANY
Many renowned doctors in the fields of orthopaedics and traumatology, aesthetic medicine, plastic surgery and dentistry have private practices. You should choose a private specialist according to their experience and ratings (for example, according to the FOCUS rating).
INTERMEDIARIES: HOW TO AVOID SCAMS
Today many companies provide intermediary services to foreign patients. Not every medical centre can promptly review a patient’s documents and draw up a medical programme. Some university clinics have a queue of several months. The services of such companies are mostly logistical, as they solve the issues of urgency, and efficiency, organise transfer services, meetings, and interpreters – they are engaged in organising your arrival at the clinic.
Some licensed companies also help in solving legal issues and disputes, if any. It is very important to contact a licensed intermediary that has an experienced staff and works transparently..
As a rule, the services of such companies are not included in the cost of treatment and are paid separately from medical services. You should always be careful when choosing an intermediary, because the quality of the company’s work may determine not only the comfort of your stay in Germany but also the transparency of medical services.
You should not be afraid to cooperate with intermediaries in organising treatment in Germany. The patient will not overpay, as the services of these specialists are charged according to a separate price list. There are no hidden interests in the cost of care.
ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD DURING TREATMENT IN GERMANY
Most often, if hospitalisation is not necessary, the patient and his/her stay in hotels near the medical centre or guesthouses. If foreign patients come for a rather long period of treatment, the possibility of long-term rent of a flat with everything necessary for a comfortable stay in this country is considered.
Most often medical centres have agreements with nearby hotels, which makes it possible to offer patients prices that are lower than the tourist rate. Reservation is made upon the arrival of the patient. The choice of hotel can be made either by the receiving party or by the patients themselves on specialised websites, taking into account personal wishes and requirements.
WHAT VISA IS REQUIRED FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT IN GERMANY AND HOW TO APPLY FOR IT?
Many foreigners need a valid visa to enter Germany. A medical visa is issued in the presence of an invitation from a medical centre.
According to German law, the clinic has the right to issue an official invitation to the patient and his accompanying person only if it is confirmed that the necessary funds are available for treatment.
The patient is invoiced in advance, which includes the cost of medical services. This invoice is the deposit from which the funds for diagnosis and treatment are spent. After confirming the receipt of the patient’s funds for the deposit account, the clinics issue invitations for a medical visa.
HOW TO FIND AN INTERPRETER/MEDICAL COORDINATOR/DRIVER?
Interpreter and transfer services are provided by the receiving party for a fee (this can be either staff of medical centres or other intermediary companies and agencies). The cost depends largely on the region, the time of transfer and the patient’s wishes for the transfer. It ranges from 35 to 65 euros per hour. A translator can only be provided by a clinic or an agent. These are certified people with a medical background. An outside interpreter (hired people from a translation agency, acquaintances, friends or relatives) will not be allowed due to the legal liability of the hospital.
What should I do if my visa is refused (provided the patient has paid the deposit)?
Such situations are extremely rare. If it does happen, then the patient needs to provide the medical centre with proof that the visa or entry to the country has been refused. This can be a stamp in the passport, or a letter from the consulate or embassy. After these confirmations, the clinic will make a refund to the patient’s account. The timeframe for a deposit refund is about one month for private hospitals and about three months for public medical centres.
How not to overpay when going for diagnostics in a German clinic?
Diagnostic services in Germany are prescribed according to the patient’s situation. For each pathology, several examinations are prescribed first and second depending on the complexity of the patient’s situation. Usually, clinics notify the patient of the need for certain examinations and explain their importance. If you go to a quality and transparent medical centre, as a rule, there are no baseless procedures.
Summary
Germany is one of the most popular medical tourism destinations in Europe. Every year, more than 250,000 patients come here for diagnosis and treatment. Foreigners can receive medical services in private or public clinics, as well as university hospitals.
The cost of treatment in Germany is at an average level in relation to general European standards. The system of pricing for medical services is formed in such a way that there is no appreciable difference between the cost of medical care for a foreigner and a German citizen. The price range is annually formed and controlled by the Ministry of Health of the country.
The top German hospitals, which are in particular demand among foreign patients, are Helios, OST, Cardiac Centre Leipzig, Nuremberg, Vivantes, Urological Centre Munich-Planegg, Uniclinics Cologne and Munich.
To travel to Germany for diagnostics or treatment, click on the button below and fill in the feedback form. Our coordinators will call you back as soon as possible and help you with all organisational issues.
