Sick pay at risk: report the incapacity to the health fund in time

With sick pay, what matters is a seamless, timely establishment of the incapacity for work. Late follow-up sick certificates can cost the claim. Since the electronic incapacity certificate (eAU), the practice transmits the certification to the fund, but the timely establishment at the doctor remains your task.

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For sick pay, the incapacity for work has to be medically established seamlessly. Have yourself certified again at the latest on the next working day after the end of the current incapacity, otherwise a gap and loss of the claim threaten.

Through the electronic incapacity certificate (eAU), the practice reports the certification to your health fund. You generally no longer have to send in the 'yellow' certificate yourself, but the timely establishment at the doctor is decisive.

What you should do now

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1. Schedule the appointment in time
Arrange the follow-up appointment so that the new certificate connects seamlessly to the current one, not only afterwards.
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2. Avoid gaps
Even one day without an established incapacity can endanger the sick pay claim. Factor in weekends and public holidays.
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3. Secure the eAU transmission
Ask at the practice whether the eAU was transmitted to your fund. For privately insured people, different routes apply.
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4. React to problems
If a gap has arisen, describe the matter to the fund in writing; for gaps through no fault of yours there are exceptions.

How to spot the scam

The follow-up appointment is only after the end of the current sick certificate.
You rely on being able to submit the certificate later.
The eAU was not transmitted to the fund and you do not notice it.

Frequently asked questions

Why is seamless certification so important?

Because the sick pay claim is tied to the seamless medical establishment of the incapacity for work. If the certification breaks off even one day, the claim can be lost. Have yourself certified again in time, at the latest on the next working day.

Do I have to send the certificate to the fund myself?

For those with statutory insurance, generally no longer: the practice transmits the electronic incapacity certificate (eAU) to your health fund. What remains important is that the establishment happens in time and seamlessly. Privately insured people submit their certificate themselves.

What if a gap has arisen anyway?

Describe to the fund in writing how it came about. In certain cases through no fault of yours (for example the practice was closed) there are exceptions. If loss of sick pay threatens, get support from a social advice service.

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General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.