GP and referral: how the route to a specialist works

In short: The family doctor’s practice (Hausarztpraxis) is the first point of contact for many health questions. It treats you itself or, if necessary, refers you to a specialist.

In more detail: In German statutory health insurance you are generally free to choose among practices that are approved to treat insured patients. A referral is not compulsory for every specialist visit, but it helps with coordination and is needed for some services and appointment routes.

In detail

• Role of the GP: Family doctors often know your medical history, deal with common complaints, check-ups and vaccinations, and keep an overview of findings from different practices.
• The referral: With a referral form (Überweisungsschein) the practice sends you to a specific speciality, usually along with a question to be answered or previous findings.
• Direct access: Some specialities, such as ophthalmology, gynaecology and dentistry, can usually be visited by people with statutory insurance without a referral.
• When a referral is needed: For certain services, for example laboratory tests or X-rays at another practice, a referral is usually required; the practice or your health insurer (Krankenkasse) can tell you what applies in your case.
• GP-centred care: Many health insurers offer voluntary family doctor programmes in which you agree to see your chosen GP practice first.
• Appointment service: The appointment service centres of the Associations of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, reachable on 116117 or online, help you find specialist appointments, especially with a referral marked as urgent.
• Bring your card: For every practice visit you need the electronic health card from your health insurer; with a referral you should also bring any existing findings.
• Be well prepared: Write down your symptoms, how long you have had them and which medicines you take beforehand, so that nothing is forgotten during the consultation.
• In an emergency: If you have life-threatening symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain or unconsciousness, call the emergency number 112 immediately instead of waiting for an appointment (gesetzliche-krankenversicherung-leistungen-beitrag-und-familienversicherung, erste-hilfe-grundlagen).