In the new year it will still be possible in Germany to obtain sick leave for a slight cold after a telephone consultation, i.e. without having to visit a doctor’s surgery. By decision of the Joint Federal Committee of Doctors, Health Insurance Funds and Hospitals (Gemeinsamer Bundesauschuß von Ärzten, Krankenkassen und Kliniken), the special regulation on this matter will be extended again, this time until the end of March 2022. This is intended to reduce unnecessary contacts in order to reduce the risk of infection.
Sick leave over the phone is issued for up to seven days and can be extended for another seven calendar days. However, doctors must personally convince themselves of the patient’s condition by conducting a detailed interview with the patient over the phone and make sure that an in-office examination is not necessary. According to previous arrangements, this special regulation was to be in effect until the end of this year.
Source: www.tagesschau.de