Make use of your right

In principle, anyone who is ill can apply for rehabilitation, because everyone has the right to rehabilitation services that restore performance, avert possible disabilities and promote reintegration into working life.

Who pays for rehabilitation?

The costs are covered by the responsible institution (e.g. health insurance fund, pension fund or employment agency), but the patient must make an additional payment of 10 euros per day for rehabilitation. After a stay in hospital, e.g. due to an operation, tumor treatment or a stroke, the attending physician will usually suggest further rehabilitation measures and initiate the application via the clinic's social services.

If the general practitioner considers rehabilitation treatment to be advisable in order to maintain gainful employment, avert an impending disability or, in the case of older people, to improve their ability to cope with everyday life, the insured person must request an application form from the health insurance fund. You can ask your doctor, the health insurance fund or advice centers (e.g. Independent Patient Advice Service, 08 00/0 11 77 22) to help you fill out the form. You have the option of suggesting a spa clinic of your choice to the health insurance fund for your inpatient rehabilitation, but you should find out in advance which clinics your health insurance fund has supply contracts with.

Once the application has been submitted, the health insurance fund has three weeks to review it, but can obtain an opinion from the medical service, which may take a further two weeks. If the health insurance fund is not responsible, but another institution is, it is obliged to forward your application to this institution. If you have not heard anything to the contrary after five weeks, your claim for rehabilitation is granted. The approval of the application contains information on the start, duration and location of the measure. If you do not agree, you can request a change. If the application is rejected, you can lodge an appeal within one month. However, the necessary rehabilitation treatment is usually approved and nothing stands in the way of your recovery.