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Got a Headache? - Medical Care
Visitors to Germany are unfortunately not immune to aches and pains. But don’t worry, there are plenty of doctors around—both specialists and general practitioners. Your friends and colleagues can recommend a doctor who’s right for you, or you can look in the yellow pages, where you’ll find listings of doctors of all types. Still, in the end, doctors are a bit like auto mechanics; it takes time to find a good one.
By their nature, illnesses are somewhat “egotistical.” They strike when and where they please. If possible, call your doctor early on when you feel yourself getting ill. Ideally, a day before you’d like an appointment. Still, you can see almost any general practitioner without an appointment, if you go during his office hours.
Costs and Opening Hours
If you’re privately insured, you cover your medical expenses yourself. Then your insurance company will reimburse you. Since it’s not at all uncommon for you to fall ill outside of your doctor’s office hours, on weekends, evenings and holidays there are special emergency medical services. The local newspaper will have information on what doctors are on duty at these odd times. Pharmacies also have information about doctors on duty in the area. Their answering machines will have the relevant addresses and phone numbers. When pharmacies are closed, addresses of “emergency pharmacies”—those which are open--are listed in the window or on the door.
Hospitals
Hospitals aren’t cheap. Under German law, there is an additional charge, aside from treatment, of € 10 per day for In-patients. However, this is limited to 28 days a year. If the decision is up to you whether or not to go into the hospital, you should first talk with your insurance company. Due to the expense and other formalities, it might be easier to visit a hospital in your home country. In case of emergencies, dialing 110 or 112 on your phone will put you in touch with an emergency physician. You can dial these numbers free of charge from any telephone booth.
Affording being sick
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