Whether private patients get doctor appointments faster cannot be answered in general terms. A common reason given is that practices bill privately insured patients under the scale of fees for doctors (GOÄ). However, there is no guarantee: waiting times depend on region, specialty and practice, and statutory patients are also entitled to help finding an appointment. For student life, what matters most is how you plan an appointment and what happens to the bill afterwards.
The key points in brief
- Private patients can get an earlier appointment, but it is not guaranteed. Fixed waiting times cannot be stated.
- Privately insured patients are billed under the GOÄ. You pay the bill first and submit it to your insurer.
- Statutory patients can use the appointment service on 116117: a specialist appointment should be offered within one week, and the waiting time may be at most four weeks.
- If you opt out of statutory health insurance at the start of your studies, you cannot reverse that decision. Appointment access alone is therefore not a good reason to switch.
Why do private patients often get appointments faster?
Practices bill private patients under the GOÄ. The standard rate results from the number of points multiplied by the point value of 5.82873 cents, to which a multiplication factor is applied. For personal medical services, the threshold is 2.3 and the maximum rate is 3.5. This gives practices room in how they are paid, and this is seen as the reason why some practices schedule private patients at shorter notice.
This cannot be proven for individual practices. Some practices give appointments strictly in the order of enquiries, while others keep slots available. So do not assume that your insurance status alone will secure an appointment.
How long is the waiting time for a specialist as a private patient?
There is no fixed figure. The waiting time for a specialist appointment varies by specialty, practice and place of residence. In cities with many practices, the choice is usually greater than in rural areas, and in-demand specialties are often fully booked for longer.
The appointment service, which sets a time limit, is aimed at statutory patients. As a private patient, it is best to contact several practices yourself and stay flexible about time and location.
What applies to statutory patients? The 116117 appointment service
For a fair comparison, the offer for statutory patients is relevant. The appointment service can be reached on 116117 around the clock by phone, online or via app. It should offer a specialist appointment within one week, and the waiting time may be at most four weeks. For acute psychotherapy treatment, the limit is two weeks.
| Question | Appointment service 116117 |
|---|---|
| Who can use it? | Statutory patients |
| Offer | Specialist appointment within one week |
| Waiting time | At most four weeks |
| Psychotherapy, acute treatment | At most two weeks |
| Referral | Required, except for eye and gynaecology specialists as well as general practitioners and paediatricians |
| Choice of practice | No entitlement to a specific doctor |
The Federal Ministry of Health explains the service in a leaflet. Statutory patients therefore have a defined route to a specialist appointment, although there is no entitlement to a particular practice.
How does a doctor’s visit work as a private patient?
The process of a doctor’s visit differs mainly in how it is paid. You arrange the appointment yourself, state at reception that you are privately insured, and receive the bill afterwards. The principle of reimbursement means that you pay and then get the money back from your insurer.
- Book the appointment by phone, online or via the practice portal.
- At reception, state that you are privately insured. Your policy terms show whether your tariff has specific requirements.
- Pay the bill and keep a copy or photo of it.
- Submit the bills to your private insurer (in German) via app, portal or post.
- Check the benefit statement and ask if anything has been reduced.
Many insurers support you with private health insurance apps (in German) that show how submission and reimbursement are progressing. For inpatient treatment, direct billing between the hospital and the insurer is the rule. More on this is in our guide to hospital stays under private health insurance (in German).
How can private patients get an appointment faster?
You can improve your chances without relying on your status alone. These steps help with the search:
- Call several practices or send online enquiries, and ask whether they keep a waiting list for short-notice cancellations.
- Stay flexible about time and place, for example early in the morning or in neighbouring districts.
- Briefly describe your concern. If you have acute symptoms, say so straight away at reception.
- Have documents ready, such as test results and your insurance details.
- Plan preventive check-ups and follow-ups early, not only when you have symptoms.
What does free choice of doctor mean for private patients during your studies?
Privately insured patients usually choose their practice themselves. How far the benefits go depends on your tariff. The guide to benefits of private health insurance (in German) gives an overview.
Aids, therapies and dental treatment are also regulated differently by tariff, for example with an open or closed list of aids. Read the terms before you start an expensive treatment.
Is private health insurance worth it during your studies just for faster appointments?
No, because the decision applies for a long time. If you opt out of statutory insurance at the start of your studies, you usually stay privately insured for the entire course of study. The opt-out is irrevocable, and switching back to statutory insurance is normally only possible after your studies, for example through employment subject to social insurance.
| Aspect | What you should consider |
|---|---|
| Opt-out | Application within three months of the start of compulsory insurance, irrevocable |
| Health questions | The application includes health questions that must be answered truthfully |
| Return to statutory insurance | Generally difficult, and usually excluded from age 55 |
| Contributions | Can rise over time |
If you are seriously considering this, the guide to switching to private health insurance as a student (in German) covers the process, application and documents.
Frequently asked questions
Why do private patients get appointments faster?
Practices bill private patients under the GOÄ, which leaves room in how they are paid. This is seen as the reason why some practices schedule private patients at shorter notice. There is no entitlement to a faster appointment, and waiting times differ by practice, region and specialty.
How long is the waiting time for a specialist as a private patient?
There is no average figure, because waiting times vary widely by specialty and region. Contact several practices, stay flexible about time and place, and mention acute symptoms at reception. The time limit of the appointment service applies to statutory patients.
Can I go directly to a specialist as a private patient?
Privately insured patients usually choose the practice themselves. Whether your tariff has special requirements, for example on the order of doctor visits, is stated in the policy terms. If you are unsure, ask your insurer before you book an appointment.
Is there help finding an appointment for statutory patients?
Yes, the appointment service on 116117. It should offer a specialist appointment within one week, and the waiting time may be at most four weeks. You usually need a referral for this. There is no entitlement to a specific doctor.
Your next steps
- Check whether you would choose private health insurance only because of faster appointments. If so, weigh that decision again against the consequences of opting out.
- If you are already privately insured, contact several practices and keep bills and receipts in order.
- Submit bills to your insurer promptly and check the statement.
- If you want to talk through your situation, you will find the way to advice on the Academycon homepage.
You can read about our service on ProvenExpert, Trustlocal and Trustindex. Academycon has been mentioned, among other things, in a press release on Leinetal24. An overview of all mentions is on the press page (in German).
Related reading
- Private health insurance benefits for students: an overview (in German)
- Submitting private health insurance bills: how to do it correctly and quickly (in German)
- Digital services of private health insurance: apps, reimbursement and online portals (in German)
- Switching to private health insurance as a student: process, application and documents (in German)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
