To conclude our blog series, we would like to clarify some frequently asked questions about the medical on-call service – particularly regarding sick leave certificates (medical attestations) and medication supply from emergency services, as these are often unclear. Here is a small FAQ section:
Can the medical on-call service issue a sick leave certificate?
Yes. If you are treated by an on-call physician (whether via home visit or at an on-call clinic) and they determine that you are unable to work, they can issue you a certificate of work incapacity (AU). This is valid just like a sick leave certificate issued by your primary care physician. For example, if you have yourself certified sick with the flu on a Sunday, you receive a certificate that you can present to your employer. Nowadays, an electronic AU (eAU) is often transmitted directly to your health insurance, but you also receive a printout for your employer.
Please note: If the sick leave extends beyond the weekend, it is customary for your primary care physician to take over the continued sick leave certification – that is, the on-call physician may give you 2–3 days, and if you are absent longer, you should see your primary care physician on Monday or Tuesday to extend it.
Do I need to do anything special to obtain a sick leave certificate from emergency services?
Not really. Simply describe your symptoms honestly. If the physician believes you should stay home for a few days, they will offer a certificate unprompted or issue one upon request. Do not hesitate to say that you need a certificate for your employer – that is completely legitimate, and physicians are familiar with such requests.
What you should avoid: calling emergency services only to obtain a sick leave certificate when you actually feel fine. That would be abuse of the system. (Unfortunately, this does happen – some people want an extended weekend and call emergency services for a certificate. This is strongly discouraged, as it ties up resources and is unethical. Moreover, physicians usually see through such cases.)
Conclusion: If you need a certificate due to genuine illness, you will receive it from emergency services.
Does emergency services issue prescriptions for medications?
Yes, absolutely. The on-call physician can prescribe all common medications required for your acute treatment. This includes, for example, antibiotics, higher-dose painkillers, asthma inhalers, insulin, cardiac medications, or whatever is necessary in an emergency. You receive a prescription that you can redeem at any pharmacy (on weekends, of course, at an emergency pharmacy).
Tip: Ask the physician which pharmacy nearby is open – physicians often have a list ready or know from experience. It is also possible that the physician administers something on the spot: for example, a first dose of antibiotics as liquid for a child, or a painkiller tablet so you can bridge the time until the pharmacy opens.
What about follow-up prescriptions for regular medications?
This is a gray area. Follow-up prescriptions (such as blood pressure tablets that have run out) are only issued by emergency services in exceptional cases. In principle, it is the patient's responsibility to arrange refills during normal office hours. However, it can happen to anyone to discover on the weekend that an important medication is finished. In such cases, you can of course contact emergency services. Often, you will be given a small prescription (small package) that lasts until Monday, with the request to arrange the rest with your primary care physician. The Consumer Center recommends that if you regularly need medications, always organize new prescriptions in time so you do not get into this situation in the first place.
Does the prescription or medication cost extra on weekends?
No. You pay the usual prescription fees at the emergency pharmacy as you would normally (e.g., €5 to €10 copay depending on the medication, if you are not exempt). The medical on-call service itself does not charge money for issuing a prescription. Some pharmacies charge a small night surcharge (they may do so after 9 p.m.), but this is in the low single-digit euro range.
Can emergency services issue referrals or similar documents?
Yes, if it is acutely relevant. Example: You have an eye problem on the weekend, the on-call physician is an internist and thinks an ophthalmologist should examine it the next day – they can then issue you a referral to the specialist so you are seen faster on Monday. The same applies to laboratory referrals or X-ray referrals if they want to clarify something. You can then use these referrals during the week. Here too: what makes sense acutely will be done. However, do not expect "wish referrals" for check-ups, etc.
Do I also get advice and tips at emergency services?
Absolutely. The on-call physician will always explain to you what they think you have and how you should proceed. You can ask questions just as you would with a regular doctor. Use the conversation to clear up any uncertainties ("What should I do if it gets worse?", "Can I go to work tomorrow?", "How exactly do I take this medication?"). Especially because many patients are unfamiliar with emergency services, they are sometimes uncertain – but you can address anything. The physician will, for example, inform you if you should see your primary care physician in a few days for a follow-up, or what warning signs require another medical visit.
Is emergency services anonymous? Will my primary care physician find out?
As a rule, emergency services does not explicitly ask for your primary care physician, but the billing goes to your health insurance through your insurance card. Your primary care physician does not automatically find out about your emergency services visit. However, you can tell them at your next appointment, which is also helpful so they are aware of any incidents. In some cases, the on-call physician writes a brief report and gives it to you, which you can then show to your primary care physician – particularly if they have started a therapy that needs to be continued. Data protection is respected: without your consent, no other physician learns of your contact, except if it is medically necessary (for example, if you are admitted to a hospital).
Are there situations where I should not call the medical on-call service?
Yes, if there is no medical problem at all, but rather organizational matters. Emergency services is not for scheduling doctor's appointments (there is a separate appointment service 116117 online for that) or discussing findings that are already old. It is also not the right contact for dental problems – there is a separate dental emergency service with its own number for that. Likewise for psychiatric emergencies or medications that fall under the Controlled Substances Act (special covering services must be found for those). In all these cases, 116117 can often help with guidance on where to turn. For example, they will give you the number of the dental emergency service or the nearest children's hospital if a special case is involved.
What about on-call service during the week during daytime hours?
Normally, on-call service is only active outside regular office hours, i.e., evenings, nights, and weekends. During the week during daytime (e.g., Wednesday 11 a.m.), regular practices are open – there is no on-call service; you would have to go to a regular doctor. However, there are exceptions: public holidays during the week are treated like weekends. And on bridge days or during vacation periods, there is often a covering physician service: if your doctor is on vacation, you will learn from their voicemail who is covering. The 116117 also arranges appointments during the day if necessary (this is the appointment service for specialist appointments, a different topic). In Berlin, there were plans to extend telephone consultation during daytime hours, but currently the actual on-call service remains limited to hours when offices are closed.
We hope this FAQ clarifies the most important questions. Together with the previous sections, you should now have a comprehensive understanding of how the medical on-call service in Berlin works and how you can use it. Stay healthy – but if you are not, you now know that you can rely on medical help outside regular hours. Save the number 116117 in your phone, and perhaps inform family members about it (as many people are still unaware of this number) – it could be very useful one day. When in doubt, the rule is: better ask for help one too many times than one too few. The medical on-call service in Berlin is ready to help you, whether on weekends, late at night, or on public holidays.
Sources: Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians Berlin, Patient Service 116117 (KBV), Consumer Center, ADAC Study 2023, BZ-Berlin, KV Berlin – On-call Clinics.