Health Care for Asylum Seekers

In the event of illness, the Immigration Services Department issues “proof of insurance” in the form of medical treatment vouchers. Beneficiaries can request these from the Medical Assistance Team as needed.

Treatment authorization forms must be submitted to the family doctor’s office prior to treatment. Referrals to specialists, hospital admissions, prescriptions for medical devices or aids, prescriptions for psychotherapy, and other extensive treatments (e.g., surgeries) require—except in emergencies—prior approval from the Immigration Services Department.

Health care benefits under Section 4 of the AsylbLG ensure basic medical and dental care, including mandatory vaccinations and medically necessary preventive examinations, particularly for children. This does not automatically include all benefits provided by statutory health insurance plans. Other benefits may be granted under Section 6 of the AsylbLG, particularly if they are essential in individual cases to ensure a livelihood or protect health. For example, in the case of prescriptions for eyeglasses, medical assistance is governed by the provisions of the statutory health insurance plans.

If benefits are granted pursuant to Section 2 of the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act (AsylbLG), there is an entitlement to health insurance under Section 48 of the Twelfth Book of the Social Code in conjunction with Section 264 of the Fifth Book of the Social Code. Once eligibility for benefits has been determined, beneficiaries automatically receive a form to exercise their right to choose a health insurance provider. After the completed form is returned, enrollment with the health insurance provider is processed. The level of medical coverage then corresponds to the provisions of the statutory health insurance plans.