Applying for rehabilitation sport

In order to be able to take part in a rehabilitation sports group in Germany there are special forms from statutory health insurance companies and the Deutsche Rentenversicherung e.V. Important information in advance: this support is basically available to every cancer patient and it can be claimed using the corresponding form.

Unfortunately, the situation is a little more problematic for persons who are privately insured in Germany. As this type of rehabilitation measure is not included in the catalogue of services, the decision concerning covering of costs is frequently taken on an individual basis. For better chances of success, you should obtain a medical note from your doctor certifying the need for a rehabilitation measure (there is no special form for this) and then make contact with your insurance company.

Statutory health insurance companies

In the case of statutory health insurance companies in Germany, the form required is called "Antrag auf Kostenübernahme für Rehabilitationssport (Muster 56)". Using this form generally provides the patient with 50 exercise sessions in a rehabilitation sports group which should be used within a period of 18 months (guideline). In the case of chronic diseases which includes polyneuropathy, 120 exercise sessions are provided over a period of 36 months (guideline).

The doctor who is treating you can provide you with the application form for taking over costs. Here you can look at how the " Leitet Herunterladen der Datei ein Muster 56" is structured (verbindliches Muster, Freigabe ab 01. Juli 2011).

Deutsche Rentenversicherung (German Pension Insurance)

The form of the Deutsche Rentenversicherung is called "Verordnung von Rehabilitationssport / Funktionstraining – Formular G850" and is generally issued at the end of inpatient rehabilitation by the clinic providing treatment. As the objective of the prescription is to rehabilitate people back into work, it is no longer issued after retirement age. Sport/training is generally prescribed for a period of 6 months. For a prescription of more than 6 months up to a maximum 12 months, detailed justification from the doctor is required. The training can be prescribed up to x2 per week, and x3 per week with detailed justification (in as far as the frequency is offered at the rehab facility). From a sports science perspective you should be physically active at least 2-3 times per week.

Rehabilitation sport can be prescribed when (primary) therapy (operation and/or radiotherapy and/or antineoplastic therapy) is concluded. In individual cases, rehabilitation sport can also be prescribed prior to the conclusion of (primary) therapy: in such cases it must be ensured that the doctor checks throughout the course of therapy whether continuation of the rehabilitation sport is suitable from a medical point of view.

The G850 form can be found on the Öffnet externen Link in neuem Fenster Deutsche Rentenversicherung website.