Doctor visit Beware of additional services

Beware of individual health care at the doctor

Consumer center: Who should pay extra for individual health care services to the doctor, should check carefully whether the chosen additional services actually make sense.

Again and again doctors offer in the context of a treatment so-called individual health services, which are not taken over by the health insurance. According to a study by the Scientific Institute of the AOK (WidO), the sale of additional services has risen by 50 percent since 2005. Every year, doctors take on average 1.5 billion euros through the sale of such paid services.

Such services are mainly offered during prenatal care, to the dentist or other specialists. The consumer center Duisburg advises patients to have such additional paid therapies and diagnostic methods to be explained exactly by the doctor. Patients should ask their attending physician why the paid treatment or diagnosis is important. In addition, patients should be careful not to force themselves to make a decision immediately. It was better to give yourself a time to think. Those who decide on an additional service should obtain a cost estimate in order to receive a binding cost commitment in advance. Anyone who makes use of additional services can deduct these as "exceptional services" in tax billing.

After the therapy or diagnostic procedures, the doctor should issue an invoice. Anyone who makes use of an individual additional service does not have to pay an extra medical fee for the visit to the doctor. Healthcare information is provided by the Medical Council and Consumer Advice Centers. (sb, 07.02.2011)

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Picture: Rainer Sturm