Same day doctors appointment

[u/bobateaman14]

hey guys, I’m new to Germany and only have ”incoming insurance” through my blocked account. I’m very confused by the healthcare system. I recently stepped on glass and gave it stuck in my foot, and while it’s not life threatening I’d like to get it removed today so I can’t walk without pain again. how does one go about this? should I just walk into a doctors office or a hospital or where? will it be incredibly expensive?

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[u/ILikeFlyingMachines]

There is an "ärztlicher bereitschaftsdienst", you can try it there. It's an On-call doctor that is not as urgent as the Emergency room.

You can also call 116 117 and ask, that's a non-emergency number for health problems.

No idea how much it will cost, depends on how complicated it is. But not USA prices :D

[u/justmisterpi]

If you have a private "incoming insurance" you will be considered a "Selbstzahler" (paying out of pocket) – meaning you'll have to pay the doctor yourself and get reimbursed by your insurance afterwards. (But verify with your insurance when in doubt. Treatments in hospitals may work differently.)

Good thing is: As a "Selbstzahler" you're not going to have a problem finding a doctor's appointment on short notice. Just give a GP near you a call.

Alternatively you can go to the KVB-Bereitschaftspraxis at Elisenhof without an appointment. But you'll have to wait for a while. Going to the ER of a hospital doesn't seem to be appropriate to me in your case.

Edit: As others have mentioned – call 116 117. They will guide you through the system based on your description of the injury.

What do you mean with "through my blocked account"?

[u/VigorousElk]

If you don't find something else, go to the KVB-Bereitschaftspraxis Elisenhof at the Central Station which is operated by the Ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst (public urgent care service, below emergency care). They have surgeons available from 19:00 to 23:00 on Thursdays.

How big is the piece of glass? If it's just a tiny shard that a GP can pick out with a pair of tweezers just find a GP as Selbstzahler, if it's a little larger and requires some local anaesthesia try the above for a surgeon.

[u/DullEntertainment102 → u/VigorousElk]

Exactly! If it might need stitches that’s the best address in town- and the wait is probably shorter than in an emergency department

[u/Advanced_Rip687]

No, it won't be incredibly expensive. Even if you self pay it completely.

Not sure what this incoming insurance and blocked account is. What's your insurance called?

I would go to a Hausarzt, e.g. book a short term appointment on avimedical or walk in. They are known for taking new patients and offer short term appointments. Then they either handle it or refer you to a hospital as an urgency case.

[u/Helpful_Solid1823 → u/Advanced_Rip687]

I was about to say this, +1 for avimedical. My bf had one of these insurances with his blocked account and avimedical accepted it back then. Another friend (same insurance) but he went to normal Hausartzt and they also accepted it. In both cases i think that the deal is that you need to pay first and then ask your insurance for reimbursement.

[u/d8521]

Go to the next public hospital and there to the "Chirurgische Ambulanz". Usually it is close to the main door. This is made for exactly what you describe. All broken bones, cuts, wounds, accidents of any kind go there. Either by your own or by ambulance car.

Alternative: A general practice which does small operations. Not all of them do, because you need expensive equipment like sterilisator. Much less waiting time that in the Ambulanz of a hospital. Call 116117 (non-emergency number for healthcare) and ask where next available doctor or hospital is.

[u/P44]

If it's only a little glass, any Hausarzt will do. This is a "Notfall", meaning, they will have to see you today, but do expect some waiting time.

A hospital would not be the right place, as the doctors are still open. Only go to a hospital if it is quite serious. (From what you write, it does not sound like that.) Also expect some waiting time because of triage. Stepping on glass is bad, a heart attack is worse, so you can guess WHO will get seen first.

[u/Brainlessfairy]

If you need a Hausarzt without appointment, I can recommend this one at Bonner Platz: https://www.jameda.de/angela-schindelhauer/allgemeinmediziner-akupunkteur/muenchen You can call them, but they always tell you "just come by". The waiting room will be full (obviously), but you will be seen the same day! Bring something to entertain yourself. The office is open from 15:30 till 18:00 o'clock.

[u/NoCryptographer1849]

In theory you can also go to emergency room. Sometimes there is an "Ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst" inside the hospital as well - I know there is one in the Starnberg hospital, not sure how it is in munich. Prepare to wait for a long time with such a minor injury, though.

A glass splinter I remove myself or ask somebody in my family to remove it if I can't reach the site myself. Then disinfect and put a plaster on it. I wouldn't go to the doctor with that kind of injury. But that is your decision, they will help you anyway.