Thuringia to subsidize health checks for minor apprentices

The state of Thuringia has announced it will subsidize the costs of mandatory health checks for minors entering vocational training. This decision follows warnings from physicians that they would no longer perform these legally required examinations under the existing fee structure, which had remained unchanged for 30 years.

Under the new arrangement, doctors can bill 53.62 euros per examination, which is 2.3 times the standard rate for statutory health insurance. The Thuringian Ministry of Social Affairs stated that the state will cover the difference between the old rate of 23.31 euros and the new rate for the years 2026 and 2027.

These health checks are a component of youth labor protection, designed to identify potential health risks and prevent workplace hazards for young workers. Thuringia is currently the only German federal state to implement this specific funding model to ensure widespread availability of these medical services.