{
  "id": 6551402,
  "title": "Arbeitsunfähig: Krank: Was, wenn plötzlich der Medizinische Dienst anruft?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/arbeitsunfahig-krank-was-wenn-plotzlich-der-medizinische-dienst-anruft",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-10T05:41:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/arbeitsunfaehig-krank-was-wenn-ploetzlich-der-medizinische-dienst-anruft/100253433.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "If an employee frequently or for extended periods is sick, they often receive a letter from their health insurance company: suddenly, a review by the Medical Service (MD) is initiated. While this isn't always a face-to-face meeting, affected individuals should prepare for potential questions. When is the MD activated? Sometimes, it's the employer's concern, explains Jürgen Markowski, a specialist lawyer for labor law at the German Bar Association. If the boss doubts the employee's ability to work, they can ask the health insurer to call in the MD. The purpose of such a request is usually to get the employee back to work. However, sometimes it's due to an already troubled trust relationship, and the employer is looking for a reason to take disciplinary action, Markowski adds. Whether the employer actually instigated the inquiry can be clarified by reviewing the case files at the health insurer, but that information is rarely useful. The health insurer only tasks the MD when they have doubts about the employee's ability to work. Long illnesses, frequent short sick days, and psychological diagnoses often lead to the health insurer proactively reaching out. How does the MD work? A personal examination is rare; most often, the MD creates a report based on the case file, says Yvonne Vollmer, head of the Health and Patient Protection department at Hamburg Consumer Center. Contact may also be limited to a phone interview. Only when case files and phone calls are insufficient, the MD invites a personal review. What happens after the report? In most cases, nothing changes, Vollmer states. In 2024, the MD issued around 328,000 recommendations for work incapacity. In 77% of cases, the result was \"still unable to work,\" leading to continued wage payments or health insurance benefits. In 5.7% of cases, the MD found permanent work incapacity, prompting the health insurer to request a rehabilitation application. This determines if the person is permanently unable to work, leading to retirement benefits. Only in 6.3% of cases did the MD declare an employee fit for work. The consequence: the wage payment or health insurance benefit ends, and the employee must return to work. The consequences can be more severe if the work relationship was already strained, Markowski notes. If the MD doesn't find work incapacity, some employers may use the report as leverage, pressuring employees who feel unable to return to work despite the report as a reason for immediate dismissal. In the worst-case scenario, employers might claim the illness was fabricated and send a warning or demand repayment of benefits, even leading to immediate dismissal. What options do I have and how quickly should I act? Individuals cannot challenge the MD's assessment itself, but they can challenge the notice from the health insurer. However, pursuing a lawsuit or a claim takes time. Vollmer advises sick individuals to continue writing to their employer as sick leave and apply for unemployment benefits I at the labor office when facing a payments stop. She also recommends the treating doctor object directly to the MD, as this often helps in the initial assessment due to limited information. If the employer uses the MD's report to issue a no-notice dismissal, Markowski advises filing a dismissal protection lawsuit - even if the dispute with the health insurer and MD is ongoing. A lawsuit must be filed within three weeks; otherwise, the dismissal becomes final. Even if the report changes later, a lawsuit is still advisable to work towards a dignified resolution: a timely dismissal, continued wages until the end, and a good reference. \"Many employers are willing to settle if it means a clear end,\" Markowski says. How did I get in touch with the MD in the first place? When an employer asks the health insurer to involve the MD, it often indicates a troubled trust relationship, Markowski explains. This should not be the case. His advice: if the workplace situation becomes unbearable, seek legal advice and explore solutions early. However, it's often too late once a dismissal has been issued and work incapacity is not recognized, Markowski warns.",
  "summary": "Die Krankenkasse kündigt eine Prüfung durch den Medizinischen Dienst an? Das kann Krankengeld und sogar den Job kosten. Was Arbeitnehmer wissen sollten.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}