Telephone sick note: New regulation could come from December 7th. come

The possibility of receiving sick notes by telephone is to be introduced permanently. According to information from ARD capital studios The regulation could come as early as December 7th.

During the Corona pandemic, the procedure of receiving sick notes by telephone has proven successful. Now it should be introduced permanently. The Bundestag decided this in the summer, and a guideline on this should be drawn up by the Federal Joint Committee by the end of January. This is the highest body of self-administration in the German healthcare system.

In view of the increasing number of infections and overloaded medical practices, there are now calls for the reintroduction of the regulation to be brought forward.

Faster than originally planned

Such changes cannot happen overnight, emphasized Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach just recently ARD-Interview of the week: “We work as quickly as we can. The processes are simply slow in Germany.” Formalities such as hearings from various parties, from health insurance companies to employer associations, must be carried out in order to formulate this regulation in a legally secure manner. Monika Lelgemann, the chairwoman of the responsible committee of the Federal Joint Committee, refers to this.

And yet the introduction of telephone sick leave could happen faster than originally planned. The topic is already on the agenda for the plenary session on December 7th. Lelgemann said that ARD capital studio exclusively, if the Federal Committee accepts the regulation, it will come into force immediately: “That means it will be possible from December 7th”.

Patients must be familiar with the doctor’s office

During the pandemic, telephone sick leave was limited to minor respiratory illnesses. In the future, all clinical pictures that are “foreseeably not severe” will be covered, explains Lelgemann. However, the patients must be known to the doctor’s office.

Practices also have to check that the callers are actually who they say they are. Telephone sick leave is intended to provide relief for doctors’ practices, but its actual impact remains to be seen, says Lelgemann. It is hoped that it will bring about a positive change.