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4 clusters · 18 sources · 31 days · First seen · Last updated

German sick leave reform and doctor reimbursement updates

Overview

The German government, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, is pursuing plans to tighten sick leave regulations by requiring employees to provide a medical certificate from the first day of illness. The proposal aims to reduce workplace absenteeism and address economic competitive disadvantages. While video consultations may remain an option, the plan would eliminate the ability to issue certificates via telephone. Implementation details, such as whether certificates must be submitted immediately or can be provided retroactively, are still being finalized.

The proposal has drawn criticism from medical professionals and political opposition. The State Medical Association of Thuringia warned that the mandate could result in ‘additional doctor contacts without supply benefit,’ potentially overwhelming acute care services. Labor Minister Bärbel Bas has also expressed concerns regarding the potential strain on medical practices.

In a related development regarding healthcare policy, the governing coalition—comprising the Union and SPD—has reached an agreement to abolish the ‘fixed cost degression’ for general practitioners and pediatricians. This measure, part of the GKV Contribution Rate Stabilization Act (BStabG), would have reduced reimbursements for practices with high patient volumes. The correction aims to prevent a reduction in medical services and is expected to be finalized by October to take effect before January 1, 2027.

Adding legal complexity to the use of digital medical documentation, the Hamm State Labor Court recently ruled that submitting an online sick note obtained without any medical consultation can lead to summary dismissal. The court determined that certificates issued solely through automated questionnaires, without personal, telephone, or digital contact with a physician, constitute ‘intentional deception.’

Entities

Bärbel Bas · Friedrich Merz · Tobias Klingelhöfer · SPD · Germany

Timeline

  1. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    German court rules online sick notes without doctor contact can lead to dismissal

    A German labor court ruled that summary dismissal is justified if an employee submits an online sick note obtained without any actual medical consultation or contact with a physician.

  2. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Employee rights and obligations regarding sick leave in Germany

    Employees in Germany must notify employers immediately of sick leave and expected duration, even with the transition to electronic sick notes (eAU).

  3. [POLITICS] 11 sources
    Germany coalition plans sick leave changes and doctor fee corrections

    Germany's coalition plans to abolish fee reductions for family doctors and introduce mandatory medical certificates for sick leave starting from the first day of illness.

  4. [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Germany debates mandatory medical certificates from first day of illness

    Germany is debating a reform to require medical certificates from the first day of illness to combat high absenteeism, amid concerns from officials about its effectiveness and impact on worker wellbeing.

Sources

ad-hoc-news.de · aend.de · berliner-sonntagsblatt.de · berlinstory-news.de · digitaldaily.de · erlebekempen.de · futurezone.de · gegen-hartz.de · it-boltwise.de · karlsruhe-insider.de · medi-verbund.de · oldenburger-onlinezeitung.de · presse-board.de · presseschleuder.com · pressnetwork.de · psychologie-heute.de · redaktion-paedagogik.de · suedkurier.de

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history