If a treatment in our facilities is possible, you will receive a confirmation and the following documents:

• Treatment plan
• A brief outline of the planned treatment or any necessary diagnostics
• Cost estimate
• An estimation of the medical treatment costs. Special services shall be agreed separately
• Time outline

A time schedule with expected medical appointments, the duration of hospital stay(s) and overall duration of stay in Germany. Additionally you will receive the aftercare plan to be conducted either in Germany or your home country.

Treatment agreement and further steps

Once you agree to our treatment plan, you will be asked to pay the estimated cost in advance "Advance Payment". The payment can be made by bank transfer, credit card or cash upon arrival to the hospital prior to admission.

Meanwhile our foreign non-EU-patients’ coordinator will organise all the necessary appointments and makes the arrangements for all your requirements.

Additional optional services are available at additional costs. These services include translation of reports, interpreter in hospital or clinic, escort, hotel booking, limousine, airport pick up…etc.

Do you need a medical visa? We assist you with the procurement of the visa, only if you make an advance payment of the estimated costs. After receipt of the transfer, we will gladly issue an official visa invitation letter for you to submit to the German Embassy in your home country when applying for the visa.

How are the treatment costs calculated?

Hospitals calculate the cost of treatment using the DRG (Diagnosis Related Groups). The DRG classifies hospital cases (patients), based on medical criteria, in case groups.

The German DRG divides hospital activities into more than 18 categories. These categories relate to specific health areas as eye diseases, respiratory organs, digestive organs, etc. Within these categories, a specific DRG is defined on the basis of diagnosis, the medical procedures and additional diagnoses.

For each of the over 1200 DRG codes, a specific economic case value is prescribed. Using this case value, the hospital costs that are charged to the patient account can be determined. Usually the DRG rates include the cost of implants, drug and medical personnel, i.e. the full medical care.

However, if a patient decides to opt for private medical treatment by the senior consultant or department’s chief physician, such personal treatment bill, will be separately invoiced. Nevertheless, the prices of the private medical treatment are also regulated by the Government under the price list called GOÄ (Gebührenordnung für Ärzte) the German term for "Fees for doctors". For an individual medical treatment with dual billing the patient must sign a so-called elective service contract.

Our hospitals offer 3-bed-rooms as general standard. Against additional charges, Patients can choose comfortable single or double bed accommodation instead.

Some health insurance policies have an appropriate coverage for treatment abroad. We accept these policies if the patient obtains a formal pre-approval for all the treatment expenses.

If pre-approval is not obtained the patient shall be considered as self-payer and pay the advance payment and then seek reimbursement from his insurance company. The reimbursement form and final invoice will be handed to patient prior to discharge.

In case of the approval granted during the hospital stay, the advanced payment will be refunded.

As a condition for obtaining the SCHENGEN visa to enter Germany the patient must provide documentary evidence of travel health insurance with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros valid for the entire Schengen area. However, this policy is not valid for general medical treatment. It is considered for coverage of emergency situations that may face a traveller abroad. These include:

• emergency medical expenses up to 30.000 Euros
• emergency medical care
• repatriation to country of residence
• assistance in case of death