Psychologist in Munich – Therapy & Counselling

• There are no long waiting periods for a therapy spot.

• Immediate start of treatment, as no formalities are required.

• Discretion: your therapy will not be disclosed to insurance companies or authorities.

• Appointments tailored to your needs, with self-determined duration and frequency.

• Quick and easy scheduling through Doctolib.

Sessions are generally weekly or biweekly, lasting up to 60 minutes. Depending on the goals, the frequency of the sessions may vary.

This is a private service not covered by Conventional Health Insurance. In the case of Private Health Insurance, the individual terms of the contract should be clarified in advance. Health treatments are tax-deductible, so please present the invoice to the tax office. Depending on the service provider and the respective insurance contract, the costs incurred may be fully or partially covered. Therefore, I cannot answer questions about potential cost coverage. For more information, please contact your Insurance Company.

Payment for in-person and online consultations will be made through private invoicing, with payment due within 14 days after the invoice is sent.

If you are unable to attend the agreed appointment, please cancel it in advance, at least 24 hours beforehand, via email or phone, to avoid any charges. Missed or unattended appointments will be charged.

• Public health insurance does not cover the sessions. If you have general insurance, there are exceptions that may be accepted to cover the costs with private therapists. Please read the section below "Information on Payment Processing by Insurance Companies for Alternative Practitioners Specialized in Psychotherapy."

• Private insurance may cover the costs of psychotherapy sessions. Check directly with your insurance provider to see if you are eligible.

• Some employers offer to cover health-related expenses up to a certain amount per year.

• Supplementary insurance for Heilpraktiker costs between €8 and €30/month depending on your age and may partially or fully cover psychotherapy sessions. To compare offers: https://www.versicherung-vergleiche.de or https://www.check24.de/heilpraktiker-zusatzversicherung.

• You can deduct your psychotherapy expenses from your taxes above a certain amount when declared as an "außergewöhnliche Belastung" (extraordinary burden).*

They pay exclusively for medical treatments or those prescribed by doctors. The alternative treatments I offer in my practice are generally not reimbursed by these insurers. However, it may be helpful for policyholders to ask their insurance provider if and which alternative treatments could potentially be reimbursed. Competition among insurers can make this possible in some cases.

An exception may be applied if the patient can prove that they were unable to find a reasonably accessible therapy spot with an insurance-approved psychotherapist within a reasonable period. The legal waiting period is 3 months, but many insurers often deny coverage even in these cases; meaning the patient would need to take legal action against their insurance provider if they want to consider cost coverage by an alternative practitioner specialised in psychotherapy.

Private health insurance generally reimburses alternative medicine treatments, as long as this is agreed upon in the terms of the contract. The reimbursement may be full, partial, or up to a certain amount per year. The basis for reimbursement is always the statutes of the respective insurance company. If reimbursement for alternative practitioners specializing in psychotherapy is included, it still depends on the individual insurance contract and how the insurer handles the specific case. Supplementary insurance for alternative treatments is available for those insured by the state. Here too, reimbursement can be full, partial, or up to a certain amount per year.

The patient pays the alternative practitioner directly based on the GebüH (Fee Schedule for Alternative Practitioners), as alternative practitioners cannot directly settle with the insurance company. This invoice can be submitted to the insurance company for reimbursement. Those receiving allowances can submit it to their allowance institution, but the practitioner has no control over the amount reimbursed.

Alternative Practitioners (Psychotherapy) for State-Insured Patients

Under the Psychotherapy Law, state health insurance companies may cover therapy costs in exceptional cases for alternative practitioners specializing in psychotherapy. To request this "out-of-contract treatment," the following steps must be completed before starting therapy:

- Referral/Certificate of Necessity: A psychiatrist (or possibly a general doctor) must issue a diagnosis according to ICD-10 and confirm the need for treatment. A doctor's note explaining the risks of not treating the condition may be helpful.

- Proof of Unavailability: You must prove that a therapy spot with an insurance-approved therapist cannot be obtained within three months. This requires contacting at least three therapists, recording their contact details and the dates of your appointment requests. Long waiting times (over 3 months) are unacceptable.

If these requirements are met, the evidence must be submitted to the insurance company before therapy begins. If the application is denied, an objection can be filed, and if rejected again, the case can be taken to social court.

Summary of Insurance Coverage for My Practice:

• State Health Insurance: Usually does not cover alternative treatments but may make exceptions if proof is provided that no approved therapist is available within the required timeframe.

• Private Health Insurance: Typically covers alternative treatments depending on the contract.

• Supplementary Insurance: Available for state-insured patients and may cover partial or full costs.

Please Note: Payment is made directly to the psychologist after the invoice is issued. Psychologists do not have direct agreements with insurance companies. This invoice can be submitted for reimbursement.

For cases where state-insured patients seek reimbursement for therapy with alternative practitioners, a series of requirements must be met, as outlined by the Social Code (SGB). This includes obtaining a diagnosis according to ICD-10 and proof that treatment with an approved therapist cannot be obtained within three months.