Midwifery assistance

If you are pregnant or have just given birth, you can use the services of a midwife.

During pregnancy, during and after childbirth, women insured under statutory health insurance are entitled to midwifery assistance in addition to the right to medical care. Midwifery includes the benefits provided during pregnancy and childbirth by a state-certified and recognised midwife or maternity nurse. The provision of services is regulated by the midwifery assistance contract

Midwifery includes:

• maternity care and maternity care services,
• Obstetrics
• benefits during the puerperium up to 12 weeks after birth and
• other services, such as counselling of the mother in case of breastfeeding difficulties or postnatal gymnastics during instruction in the group.

Midwifery can be used during pregnancy and up to 12 weeks after delivery (exception: advice to the mother in case of breastfeeding difficulties or nutritional problems of the infant).

Midwifery assistance is made available to insured persons as a benefit in kind, i.e. midwives settle accounts directly with the health insurance funds. Only services that are regulated in the midwifery remuneration list can be billed.

The insured children are also entitled to midwifery assistance if they cannot be cared for by the insured person, e.g. in the event of adoption, death or absence due to illness of the mother.

Note: If you have private health insurance, you should clarify the assumption of costs with your insurance company before you make use of the benefit.

Contact Point

• Your health insurance company

Please contactthe relevant health insurance fund.

None

existing insurance relationship

• Joint circular of the social security institutions (GR of 6.12.2017-II)

• Contact the midwife of your choice directly.
• If you are a member of a statutory health insurance fund, you must present your health insurance card.
• The midwife settles with your health insurance company.
• If you are a member of a private health insurance company, you should first clarify the assumption of costs with them.

• Not known

There are no fees.

Further information can be obtained from your statutory or private health insurance and from the German Midwifery Association.