Healthcare

The German healthcare system is very modern and offers high quality coverage. There are two types of health insurance: statutory health insurance and private health insurance. Most people in Germany are covered by statutory health insurance. This is mandatory up to a specific income level. Those with a higher income may choose to get private health insurance. The website of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (Spitzenverband Bund der Krankenkassen) provides an alphabetic list of all statutory health insurance companies in Germany. Health insurance covers the costs of medical treatments, therapies, medication and hospital stays. For some services, a small part of these expenses must be paid by the insured person her- or himself in the form of a deductible.

Diseases, accidents or emergencies

In case of illness, the first medical specialist you should seek is a general practitioner. You can search for a doctor in Rhineland-Palatinate here. If necessary, you will be referred to a specialist who can carry out additional specific examinations. If you cannot go to a medical clinic because, for instance, you are sick outside of consultation hours or on the weekend but still require urgent medical attention, contact the emergency medical service or your local doctor on call.

Find out which local doctors and pharmacies are on call by calling the toll-free number 116 117 or checking your local newspaper.

Particularly in urgent, life-threatening situations such as heart attacks, strokes or severe accidents, you are advised to immediately call emergency services. The nationwide emergency services (Rettungsdienst) phone number in Germany is 112.
 

Doctors with foreign language skills

To find a doctor who speaks your language, use the doctor search tools provided by the Association of Statutory Physicians called “Kassenärztliche Vereinigung Rheinland-Pfalz” (KV RLP) or by the so-called “Ärzte Auskunft”. If you are taking medication that is only prescribed in your home country, you can get a European doctor’s prescription allowing you to obtain your medication from an international pharmacy.

Your local Welcome Centers, immigration offices, health departments, doctors and health insurance companies are happy to help you with any additional questions.