Doctors in Karlsruhe

The following list gives examples on doctors resident in Karlsruhe who stated to understand the respective languages. This might help you to get along if you are in need for medical treatment. There is no guarantee for completeness or actuality.

For making an appointment, it is best to call in advance. To the appointment, you need to bring your insurance card.

In case of emergencies, call 112. If there you need medical help, but are not in immediate danger, there is also a general medical hotline reachable under 116117.

Waiting times for an appointment with a specialist can be anywhere from weeks to months. So in case you suffer from a chronic disease which requires regular consultation of a specialist and/or a prescription of special medications you should

• Asap register with a familiy doctor/general practitioner
• Asap arrange an appointment with a specialist
• Bring a supply of your special medication with you (you might need a certificate for customer services)
• Make copies of important medical information about your disease for your new doctor (e.g. findings, letter of referral from your previous doctor etc., if possible in German or English translation)

Arranging an appointment with a specialist

• Contact a specialist directly (yellow pages, https://www.intl.kit.edu/istudent/15470.php, https://www.arztsuche-bw.de ) 
• Or contact KVBW service phone number 116117. You will be given a single appointment within 8-12 weeks in an area up to 150 km from your home. No guarantee for follow-up appointments with this doctor.
• Or in case of an urgent specialist appointment you need a letter of urgent referral from your GP and contact a specialist  -> appointment within 5 weeks
• If you need a doctor outside office hours (at night, weekend) you can go to a Bereitschafts-Praxis (emergency practice). This is not an extended hour service but for urgent cases  which cannot wait till the next day.

Finding an Emergency Clinic near you: https://www.kvbawue.de/patienten/praxissuche/notfallpraxis-finden

If you need medical help outside office hours of  a Bereitschafts/Notfallpraxis call the service phone number 116117 for advice/help. In life threatening situations call the Emergency Medical Services: 112

Pharmacy/Apotheke

Medications will be dispensed only at an Apotheke (Pharmacy). Some Medications are sold over the counter (OTC) but for most medications you will need a prescription from your doctor. If you have mandatory health insurance you usually have to pay a contribution between 5-10 Euro for each prescription. In case of private insurance  it depends on your contract wether or not you have to pay a contribution.