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German Bureaucracy Glossary

essential terms explained in plain language.

115 terms

Medical

Eigenanteil

Patient's own contribution — the portion of medical or care costs that the patient pays themselves, not covered by insurance. Common in nursing care (Pflegeheim).

Kassenarzt

also: Vertragsarzt

Panel doctor (GKV-contracted physician) — a doctor licensed to treat statutory health insurance (GKV) patients. The Kassenärztliche Vereinigung oversees their admission.

Krankengeld

Sick pay from health insurer — paid by your statutory health insurer (Krankenkasse) from the 43rd day of illness onwards (after employer sick pay ends). Approximately 70% of gross salary.

Krankenhauseinweisung

Hospital referral / admission — a formal doctor's order admitting a patient to hospital for inpatient treatment. Required for your health insurer to cover inpatient costs.

Zuzahlung

Statutory co-payment — the fixed amount GKV insured patients must pay out-of-pocket for medicines (€5–10 per package), hospital stays (€10/day), and aids. Capped at 2% of annual gross income.

Für dieses Medikament fällt eine Zuzahlung von 10 Euro an.