Veterinary costs in Germany are based on a regulated fee schedule that sets standard prices for treatments. Pet health insurance reimburses these costs within defined limits, with higher allowances in emergencies. To ensure reimbursement, veterinary invoices need to include the required information.
What is the Veterinary Fee Schedule (GOT) and why is it important for pet owners?
The Veterinary Fee Schedule or Gebührenordnung für Tierärzte (GOT), is a legally regulated fee system for veterinary services in Germany. It standardizes charges for various treatments based on complexity and time required, ensuring transparent and consistent billing nationwide. Understanding the GOT is important because it affects the amount reimbursed by pet health insurance for veterinary care.
How does pet health insurance reimburse veterinary fees based on the GOT?
Pet health insurance reimburses veterinary treatment costs up to 3 times the GOT fee rate for covered treatments. This limit helps accommodate reimbursement of complex or extensive procedures while maintaining a standard maximum amount.
How are emergency veterinary treatments reimbursed under pet health insurance?
For emergency veterinary services provided outside regular hours—such as nights, weekends, or public holidays—pet health insurance reimburses fees up to 4 times the standard GOT rates. The emergency service fee is also reimbursed if the emergency is confirmed by the veterinarian.
What details must be included on a veterinarian invoice for reimbursement?
To avoid delays or denials in reimbursement, the veterinarian's invoice must include the following information:
Pet’s name and identification number (microchip or tattoo number)
Diagnosis made by the veterinarian
Date when the treatment was provided
Service items listed according to the GOT schedule
Medications used with individual names and prices
If the treatment involved surgery or surgery-related care, this must be explicitly stated on the invoice.
Why should pet owners ask for a cost estimate before significant veterinary procedures?
Pet owners should request a cost estimate from their veterinarian before major treatments to understand potential charges and how much the pet health
insurance will reimburse under GOT limits. This allows for better financial planning and avoids surprises regarding coverage amounts.