Health - Telephone child sickness notification for parents in sight
Parents will probably soon be able to obtain medical certificates stating that they need to look after a sick child by telephone and without visiting a doctor's surgery. The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) signaled in a letter to Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) that a regulation is planned to come into force on December 18. The signature procedure for a corresponding agreement has already been initiated, according to the letter, which is available to Deutsche Presse-Agentur.
Lauterbach had previously asked the KBV and the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV) to reach such an agreement. The background to this is the current possibility of telephone sick notes for minor illnesses if patients are known to the practice. The Joint Federal Committee of doctors, health insurance companies and clinics recently decided on a permanent regulation modeled on a special coronavirus regulation.
Lauterbach explained in a letter to the KBV and the health insurance funds that the telephone sick note should not only relieve patients and practices in cases where insured persons themselves are ill and unable to work - but also when children are ill and parents need a doctor's certificate to claim child sickness benefit. The "Rheinische Post" first reported on the minister's letter.
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- In Germany, the Federal Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) has signaled plans to introduce a regulation for parents to obtain sick leave certificates for sick children through telephone calls, starting December 18.
- This move follows a request from Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) to the KBV and National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV) to reach an agreement on this matter.
- The goal of this telephone sick note for children is to alleviate the burden on both patients and medical practices when parents need to care for sick children and claim child sickness benefit.
- Lauterbach believes that this change will also benefit families and parents who are unable to visit a doctor's surgery due to the sickness of their children.
- The new regulation, once implemented, is expected to bring significant relief to parents and children across Germany, making the process of obtaining sick leave certificates more convenient and accessible.
Source: www.stern.de
