Parents in Germany might soon enjoy the convenience of securing sick leave certificates for their unwell children via a telephone call, without the need for an in-person doctor's visit. The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) has indicated in a letter to Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) that regulatory changes are being considered, with the implementation date set for December 18.
Minister Lauterbach had previously urged the KBV and the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV) to reach an agreement on this matter, citing the need to alleviate the burden on both patients and medical practices. The recent decision by the Joint Federal Committee of doctors, health insurance companies, and clinics to establish a permanent regulation based on a special coronavirus regulation has likely influenced this push.
Lauterbach believes that the new telephone-based sick note system will not only benefit patients and medical practices when the insured persons themselves are ill but also when children are sick and parents need to claim child sickness benefits. With this change, families and parents who are unable to attend a doctors' surgery due to their children's ill health may find the process more accessible and convenient.
Although no specific sources mention a phone-based sick note system for children, the standard process involves parents notifying their employer about a child's illness via phone, email, or messenger, followed by an appointment with a doctor and the submission of the medical certificate to the employer. The new telephone sick note system, if it comes into effect, will undoubtedly streamline this process and provide families with much-needed relief.
Note: While some enrichment data relates to the standard process for securing a sick note, it has not been integrated into the base article to avoid overloading the content.
