Your German health insurer hasn't decided? When your application counts as approved

A statutory health insurer must decide on an application promptly: at the latest three weeks after receipt, five weeks if it obtains an expert opinion. If it does not, and gives you no sufficient reason, the benefit is deemed approved (Genehmigungsfiktion).

What this means

• If you obtain the benefit yourself after the deadline, the insurer must reimburse the costs.
• If the insurer cannot meet the deadline, it must tell you in time, in writing or electronically, with reasons. If it did, nothing is deemed approved.
• For dentures with an expert procedure it is six weeks.
• The rule does not apply to medical rehabilitation.

Before paying anything yourself, get advice, e.g. from the Independent Patient Advice (UPD) or the VdK.

Already received a decision? Then the objection deadline counts.