How to Obtain Sickness Benefits: A Guide
In Germany, it's important for insured individuals to understand their rights when it comes to dealing with health insurance companies, especially during periods of sickness. Here's a breakdown of some key points to keep in mind.
Firstly, recipients of sickness benefit may be asked to apply for rehabilitation under certain conditions. This application can be submitted to the responsible statutory health insurance fund, pension insurance institution, accident insurance, or the Federal Employment Agency. However, it's important to note that insured persons are not obligated to agree to such requests.
Vacations are another aspect where clarity is needed. Insured persons are allowed to go on vacation while receiving sickness benefit, and no permission is required for vacations within Germany. For vacations spent in another EU country, the health insurance company must give their consent in principle.
Privacy is a concern for many, and it's crucial to know that insured persons are not obligated to share private information or speak to employees of their health insurance company that pays the sickness benefit. This includes phone calls from the health insurance company. If individuals are uncomfortable sharing information or speaking on the phone, they should not feel pressured to do so.
It's also worth mentioning that the health insurance company cannot force insured persons to submit a retirement application or contact treating doctors without a waiver of confidentiality from the insured person.
Lastly, it's important to note that failure to comply with the request for a rehabilitation application can result in the health insurance company stopping payment of sickness benefit until the application is submitted. However, this does not mean that insured persons are obligated to agree to such requests.
By understanding these rights, insured individuals can navigate their interactions with health insurance companies with confidence and ensure their privacy and wellbeing are protected.
