Permanent sick leave by telephone now possible
Sick leave by telephone is possible again - with immediate effect and permanently. This was decided by the Federal Joint Committee for the Healthcare System. However, patients may only be given sick leave for five days. And, there are conditions that must be met.
Sick leave by telephone is possible again - and can now be used permanently. The Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) for the healthcare system passed a corresponding regulation in Berlin. However, unlike in the coronavirus era, sick leave by telephone is only possible for up to five days - and not for up to seven days.
The regulation is in force with immediate effect, the Federal Committee announced. The prerequisites are that video consultations are not possible and that patients are already known to the respective GP practice. In addition, patients must not have any severe symptoms.
The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV) spoke out against the seven-day rule at the committee meeting. Its representative argued that the possibilities for doctors to assess the illness over the phone were significantly reduced. After all, it is about issuing a document that must have reliable evidential value vis-à-vis the employer.
Doctors' representatives, on the other hand, pleaded for a uniform regulation for tele-sick notes. They pointed out that this was already possible for seven days with the existing video sick note.
Lauterbach happy about relief for doctors
It was already clear before the committee meeting that tele-sick notes would be introduced. Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach welcomed this even before the meeting. "This is a significant relief for employees, employers and doctors," he told the Handelsblatt newspaper. "The procedure proved its worth during the pandemic and then unfortunately expired."
Telephone sick notes were introduced during the coronavirus pandemic to relieve the burden on GP practices. However, the scheme initially expired in April. In the summer, the Bundestag then passed a law by Lauterbach that makes sick notes by telephone permanently possible.
In view of the rising number of respiratory infections, the medical profession had called for the rapid reintroduction of telephone sick notes. "Especially in the cold season, it helps to avoid infections and relieve the burden on doctors' surgeries," emphasized the President of the German Medical Association, Klaus Reinhardt, in the "Rheinische Post". "In the coronavirus pandemic, we have seen that patients and doctors have handled this option very responsibly." There is no reason to assume that this will change now.
The Joint Committee is the central self-governing body in the healthcare system. In addition to the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds, the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV), the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Dentists (KZBV) and the German Hospital Federation (DKG) are also represented on it.
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The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV) opposed the seven-day rule for telephone sick notes, arguing that it would reduce doctors' ability to assess illnesses accurately. As Employer Advisor, they stressed the importance of the document having reliable evidential value.
In the coronavirus pandemic, doctors and patients handled the option for telephone sick notes responsibly, according to the President of the German Medical Association, Klaus Reinhardt. He mentioned that this was a significant relief for both employees and doctors, reducing infection spread and easing the burden on doctors' surgeries.
Legal issues arise when it comes to maintaining the reliability and validity of telephone sick notes. Employers may require evidence of an employee's illness, which must comply with employment law regulations and regulations related to Consumers' protection.
Source: www.ntv.de
