GERMANY | Emergency | Cultural information
Doctor’s 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.
Additional cost for persons having state health insurance
You have to pay € 10.00 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 € 10.00 if you go to a dentist’s office.
Emergency Room
Every hospital has a medical emergency service or an emergency room. If you are not so seriously ill or injured that someone must call an ambulance, you can go or drive to the hospital 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 € 10.00 fee per day.
Pharmacies
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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 only 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 alternative 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.