I need a specialist doctor, male or female.
Specialists – Experts for specific diseases
Specialists are doctors who specialize in certain medical conditions or fields of medicine. For example, there are specialists in ophthalmology (ophthalmologist), skin diseases (dermatologist), or heart problems (cardiologist). You go to a specialist if you have symptoms that are very specific and that your general practitioner or general practitioner cannot treat alone. Even if you have a diagnosis from your general practitioner that requires special treatment, a referral to a specialist may be necessary.
You go to a specialist if your general practitioner or general practitioner cannot help you enough. A specialist is therefore important if:
- your complaints do not improve for a long time.
- you have severe pain.
- your problem keeps recurring.
- your general practitioner or general practitioner gives you a referral.
- special equipment or examinations are necessary.
For a specialist appointment, you should prepare well in advance. Sometimes you need to bring certain documents or test results that the specialist needs to treat you properly.
Referral – The path to specialist treatment
A referral is an important document in the German healthcare system. You usually receive a referral from your general practitioner or general practitioner. With the referral, you are sent to another practice or hospital. This is necessary if you can be examined or treated better there.
The referral shows why you are being referred. It states what your problem is and what examination or treatment is needed or recommended (specific examination, second opinion, or further treatment). This referral is necessary to plan the treatment correctly and to ensure that you receive the right treatment from a specialist or specialist. Therefore, you must submit the referral at the first appointment in the new practice. The referral is usually only valid for one quarter. A quarter is three months. After that, you need a new referral from your general practitioner's office if the treatment should continue.
How to get an appointment with a specialist
With a referral from your general practitioner or general practitioner, you can make an appointment at a specialist's office. You can call a specialist's office directly and make an appointment. There is also the number 116 117. This is the on-call medical service. There you get help with finding an appointment. They tell you where you can call. Sometimes they also have appointments available. You can also search for an appointment online via the appointment service: 116117 appointment service: book doctor's appointments for statutorily insured persons online. This portal is available in many different languages.
On this page, you can quickly find a practice near you and book an appointment. For other specialists, you need a referral with a referral code from your general practitioner or general practitioner.
Important is:
The referral code is a special code on your referral.
With the referral code, you can:
- call the number 116117
- or search for an appointment online via the appointment service:116117 Terminservice: Arzttermine für gesetzlich Versicherte online buchen
Exceptions – Directly to the specialist's office in certain situations
However, there is also the possibility to make an appointment directly with a specialist, for example, for certain preventive examinations or in emergencies. There is an exception for this. But in most cases, you have to go to your general practitioner or general practitioner first. Without a referral, it may be that the health insurance does not cover the costs or you do not get an appointment.