Can doctors refuse a referral?

Since the practice fee no longer exists in Germany, many patients think that they no longer need a referral. So far, the referral slip was a way of avoiding having to pay the practice fee to the specialist. The transfer is still important. In this way, the family doctor can make a suspected diagnosis, which he has checked by the specialist. The referral slip contains this important information for the specialist.

Who decides on treatment - patient or doctor?

Doctors decide about the treatment insofar as they can only refuse it if their practice is overloaded or the relationship of trust with the patient is disturbed. This emerges from the professional code of conduct for doctors. This is the case, for example, if the patient does not present their insurance card. The relationship of trust is also disturbed if the patient behaves in a harmful manner to the doctor's advice. For example, if a patient diagnosed with lung cancer is inconsistent with the

smoking stops. Then doctors are allowed to refuse treatment.

• However, this does not apply in the event of an emergency. Doctors may not refuse treatment in an emergency or on standby.
• The treatment is decided by the doctor and the patient. The patient can refuse any intervention and seek a second opinion from another doctor.

When doctors refuse referrals

In principle, you should always contact your family doctor first if you are ill. General practitioners issue specialist referrals when they deem it necessary to cure the patient. In this way, on the referral, the doctor can tell the specialist which suspected diagnosis he has made. The specialist then checks this.

• However, if you would like a referral without having been treated by the general practitioner, doctors may refuse to do so. It is up to the doctor to make a diagnosis or a suspected diagnosis after treatment. If he cannot check the suspected diagnosis on his own, he will send you to a specialist who is trained in the relevant area. However, the doctor cannot do this until he has examined you. For this reason, he may refuse the patient's request for a referral if the patient does not allow himself to be examined.
• You can turn to any specialist. All you need is your health insurance card. It is advisable to consult your family doctor in advance. However, there is no obligation for the patient.

You are free to choose doctors

• In principle, you are free to choose the doctor according to Section 76 of the Social Security Code V. Statutory health insurance patients have the free choice of doctor because statutory health insurance physicians are obliged to provide medical care for statutory health insurance patients. You can choose a general practitioner and any specialist you want to go to.
• the Health insurance pays for the treatment by your contracted doctors. Every doctor who has a health insurance license has to carry out the treatment.
• If you are a private patient, the doctor will decide whether he would like to treat you. Doctors treating private patients can refuse without a reason. You can send them away and refuse a transfer. Treatment only needs to be carried out in emergencies.