If your doctor states on the certificate of incapacity for work that you are on sick leave “until further notice”, you do not need to regularly submit new sickness certificates to your health insurance company in order to maintain your entitlement to sick pay.
In order to receive sick pay, the certificate of incapacity for work must be received by the health insurance company in a timely manner. On time means: within a week. Since October 2021, this has become much more convenient for insured people: Most doctors’ practices transmit the health certificate electronically to the statutory health insurance companies. So you no longer have to worry about it yourself.
Anyone who receives sick pay as a person with statutory health insurance often receives a so-called self-disclosure form with questions from the health insurance company. Some health insurance companies have now started calling insured people and requesting information. However, you do not have to provide any information over the phone.
The health insurance company is generally entitled to ask, for example, how long you are likely to be ill, but it is sufficient if you answer this in writing. If the fund continues to make calls even though you have prohibited telephone contact, you can lodge a complaint with the responsible supervisory authority.
Many questions about the cause of the inability to work are not allowed to be asked by the health insurance company, but rather by the medical service. Provided that the questions relate to the specific individual case. Personal questions such as whether you live alone or not are not permitted.
Recipients of sick pay have a duty to cooperate. The legislature expects you to actively participate in restoring your ability to work. For example, if the health insurance company sets a deadline for you to apply for rehabilitation, you must adhere to it. However, the deadline may not be shorter than ten weeks. You should also answer all questions explaining your receipt of sick pay truthfully and completely.
