Procedure and costs
Procedure
During an initial consultation (50 minutes), you will have the opportunity to explain your concerns. We can then discuss together whether psychotherapeutic treatment might be appropriate.
As my practice is a private practice not affiliated with any statutory health insurance scheme, I do not have a contract for general billing with statutory health insurance providers, despite having the same qualifications as those who do.
I work primarily with various private health insurers and the health allowance schemes for civil servants. Billing through statutory health insurance funds is possible in exceptional cases under the so-called cost-reimbursement procedure.
My services are generally billed on the basis of the Schedule of Fees for Psychological Psychotherapists (GOP). You can view this here.
Below you will find a detailed explanation of the possible funding sources for psychotherapy.
Costs
As my practice is a private practice without what is known as ‘Kassensitz’ status, I do not have a contract for general billing with statutory health insurance funds, even though my qualifications are identical to those required for such a contract.
I work primarily with various private health insurers and civil service allowance schemes. Billing through statutory health insurance funds is possible in exceptional cases under the so-called cost reimbursement procedure.
I will invoice you directly for our sessions. Depending on your insurance cover, the process and coverage of costs will vary.
I recommend that you contact your insurance provider or civil service allowance office before starting treatment to find out about the options and conditions for cost coverage.
The cost of a psychotherapy session is based on the Scale of Fees for Doctors and Psychotherapists (GOÄ/GOP) and the billing recommendations in force since 1 July 2024. You can find an overview of the most common services and their fees within the context of psychotherapeutic treatment here.
If you have any questions about the costs of treatment or the process, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Below you will find a detailed explanation of the possible sources of funding for psychotherapy.
Organisations responsible for funding psychotherapy
The costs of psychotherapy are usually covered in full or in part by most private health insurers and the Beihilfe scheme. However, the extent to which your insurance covers the costs – how many sessions are eligible for reimbursement and the rates at which they are reimbursed – varies greatly and depends on your specific health insurer and your policy. Before starting therapy, speak to your insurer and ask them to send you the forms for applying for psychotherapy.
You can clarify the following questions in advance:
- Does my insurance plan cover psychotherapeutic treatment by a psychological psychotherapist?
- Is it necessary to apply for psychotherapeutic treatment in advance?
- If so: Is the application made informally or using a specific form?
- Is a medical consultation report required for the application for psychotherapy?
- Is a report to the assessor required before therapy begins?
- Is there a set maximum number of hours for reimbursable psychotherapeutic treatment? If so: How many sessions per year?
As a privately insured person or someone entitled to a subsidy, you are in any case entitled to five so-called ‘trial sessions’. During these, you can get to know me and my approach and assess for yourself whether the therapeutic method I offer is suitable for you. If we both feel that we are a good fit – in other words, that the ‘chemistry’ is right – we will make a binding decision regarding outpatient psychotherapy, its frequency (usually one session per week) and its expected duration (short-term or long-term therapy). If necessary, I will then submit a claim to your health insurance provider or benefits office for the costs of psychotherapy to be covered.
Statutory health insurance funds generally only cover the costs of psychotherapy provided by therapists registered with the scheme; they do not, however, cover treatment in a private practice.
However, due to the often unreasonably long waiting times and the severely limited freedom of choice regarding the therapist, many people with statutory health insurance have in the past been granted approval for treatment in a private practice via the so-called cost-reimbursement procedure. Although the process can seem complicated at first, if your claim is approved, your health insurance provider will cover all or at least the majority of the costs of treatment in my private practice. Should you decide to go down this route, I will be happy to guide and advise you on the next steps.
Further general information on the cost reimbursement procedure is available here.
Of course, there is always the option of covering the costs of therapy yourself. The advantage of this is that you can start treatment quickly and easily – there is no red tape in the form of applications or forms. Furthermore, no diagnoses are sent to your health insurance provider or other funding bodies. This can be beneficial if you wish to switch to private health insurance or take out specific insurance policies. Furthermore, the therapy process can be organised very flexibly, depending on your personal concerns and needs. You decide for yourself on the scope and duration of the therapy. As a medical treatment, you can also claim the treatment costs against tax.
Healthcare in the Bundeswehr
Members of the Bundeswehr are permitted to receive psychotherapeutic treatment at a private practice. Before their initial consultation, they must obtain a declaration of cost coverage (medical form San/BW/0218) from their respective military doctor. This enables the first trial sessions to be carried out and billed.
Healthcare for the Federal Police
Members of the Federal Police may also seek psychotherapeutic treatment at private psychotherapy practices. They do not require a declaration of cost coverage or a referral. They can book an initial consultation directly. Please bring your service ID card to the first session as proof of identity.