Doctor visits and hospital stays

Outpatient and inpatient: the difference

Outpatient treatment takes place in a medical practice or an outpatient department; the person treated does not stay overnight. Inpatient treatment means admission to a hospital with at least one overnight stay.

The usual first point of contact is a general practice. For some specialities a referral is customary. Whether and to what extent treatment is insured follows solely from the relevant contract.

• Outpatient: treatment without an overnight stay, usually in a practice.
• Inpatient: admission to a hospital, at least one overnight stay.
• Before planned treatment, many insured people clarify costs with their insurer in advance.

112 and 116117 as general information

112 is the Europe-wide emergency number and is used in acute, life-threatening situations or serious emergencies. 116117 connects callers to the medical on-call service outside practice hours when there is no emergency.

These are general public information items. They do not replace a medical assessment and say nothing about which costs a contract covers.

Health-card process and invoice process

In statutory health insurance, insured people usually present their electronic health card, and providers largely bill the health insurance fund directly.

Private and so-called incoming insurance usually works differently: the person treated receives an invoice and submits it to the insurer. Whether, at what level and by which procedure reimbursement takes place depends on the contract and its insurance terms. Emergency contact details and contract documents are available from the insurer itself.

Questions about this page

Do I have to pay at the practice myself?

That depends on the contract. Incoming contracts commonly use an invoice-and-reimbursement process. Only the insurer and the insurance terms are authoritative.

Which number applies in an emergency?

112 is the emergency number for serious emergencies; 116117 connects to the medical on-call service outside practice hours. Both are general public information.

Where to verify this authoritatively

General information on the health insurance system is published by the Federal Ministry of Health and by the Make it in Germany portal.

Information on emergency contacts, treatment pathways and billing under a specific contract is available exclusively from the insurer or provider.