If you do not have health insurance and are receiving continuous subsistence assistance for a short period of time (expected to be less than one month), the Social Welfare Office will immediately provide the necessary medical care by issuing a treatment certificate.

This includes

• Preventive health assistance for the prevention and early detection of diseases
• Assistance in case of illness
• Help with family planning
• Assistance in pregnancy and maternity
• Assistance with sterilization

The assistance corresponds to the benefits provided by the statutory health insurance, including the requirement to make co-payments within the limits of the burden limit.

As far as a "classical" membership in a health insurance exists or can be established, this possibility has priority. If there is no right of access to health insurance in the normal way, registration by the social welfare office with a health insurance fund of the beneficiary's choice can be considered. If the prerequisites are not met either (e.g. in the case of very short-term need), the social welfare agency provides the necessary assistance by directly granting benefits within the framework of assistance for health.

You contact the social welfare office responsible for you with the request to issue an electronic health card or a treatment certificate.

The social welfare office will review the application. If all requirements are met, you will receive an electronic health card or a treatment certificate.

Please contact the social welfare office of your county or city.

• it is not reasonable to raise the funds from own income and assets
• exclusion of priority benefits (including health insurance, accident insurance, care for victims of war, asylum seeker benefits law)
• Treatment certificate (assistance must be provided in the form of goods and services)
• In case of justified self-help (e.g. emergency) the reimbursement of already laid out costs is possible

• Informal application for the issuance of a/ treatment certificate
• Current notification of subsistence benefits
• Identity card or passport
• Prescriptions and/or proof of payment, if applicable,
• Required consultation confirmations, cost estimates, rejection notices

There are no fees to pay.

The responsible social welfare agency can only issue a treatment certificate once it has become aware of the need. It is therefore important to submit an application as soon as possible.

A decision on the application will be made as soon as possible, especially if there is a recognizable urgency.

An informal application to the social welfare office responsible for you is sufficient.

The text was automatically translated based on the German content per DeepL.