Are you off sick for a long time and receiving sickness benefit (Krankengeld)? From 1 January 2027, your health insurance fund (Krankenkasse) may contact you without your prior consent. The law has been passed and published in the Federal Law Gazette.
What changes on 1 January 2027?
| – | Until end of 2026 | From 1 January 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| The fund needs your written or electronic consent before giving you individual advice. | The fund may contact you the first time without consent. | |
| No consent, no voluntary advice. | At the first contact, it must tell you that you can object to further contact. | |
| Mandatory letters and checks are still possible. | After you object, only contact required by law is allowed. |
Do I have to answer everything on the phone?
No. A call is not an official decision (Bescheid), and you don’t have to say on the spot when you can work again. That is for your doctor to assess. The fund may only ask what it needs for its task. If a question feels too personal, you can ask why it is needed or ask for it in writing.
How can I object to further calls?
- After the first contact, write briefly that you don’t want any further voluntary contact – by letter, email or the fund’s online inbox.
- Include your name, insurance number and the date. You don’t need to give a reason.
- Ask for written communication and a confirmation of receipt.
- Note the date, time and name from the call. Keep a copy or proof of sending.
⚠ Important
Important: the objection only covers voluntary advice contacts. It does not put your sickness benefit at risk. You must still answer letters with deadlines or requests for necessary documents. If the fund asks you in writing to apply for rehabilitation (Reha), this can affect your sickness benefit – get advice in that case.
Can such a call be helpful?
Yes. The fund is meant to help you get back to work, for example through a gradual return to work (stufenweise Wiedereingliederung) or rehabilitation. You decide whether you want to have the conversation.
What is sickness benefit case management?
This is what health insurers call their support for people receiving sickness benefit (Krankengeld-Fallmanagement). From 2027, the fund may make contact on its own for advice, to check entitlements and to start help for your return to work.
This article explains the new rule in general and is not legal advice. If you have a dispute with your health insurer, help is available from social welfare associations (Sozialverbände), the Independent Patient Advice service (Unabhängige Patientenberatung) or – on a low income – a lawyer via a legal advice certificate (Beratungsschein).
Open the sick note guideMeaNext summarizes official information clearly. This is not legal advice. Always check the linked official source for important decisions.
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