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Apply for medical rehab at the expense of pension insurance

You can receive medical rehab from the pension insurance if your earning capacity is impaired by illness or disability.

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10709 Berlin

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10704 Berlin

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Pieperstraße 14-28
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44781 Bochum

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Wittelsbacherring 11
95444 Bayreuth

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95440 Bayreuth

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Procedure details

Medical rehabilitation serves to improve or restore your earning capacity.

A repetition of medical rehab is generally possible after 4 years - unless the service is required prematurely for health reasons.

The purpose of rehab is to treat health and functional disorders. The type of treatment and choice of rehab facility depends on your ailments.

Rehab takes place in a pension insurance rehab facility or in one of its contracted facilities. Medical rehabilitation services are available both as inpatient and full-day outpatient treatment and usually last 3 weeks. For dependent patients, there are regulations that deviate from this form and duration of benefits.

This is paid by the pension insurance:

  • the trip
  • the accommodation
  • the meals
  • medical care
  • therapeutic services
  • the medical treatments

In the case of inpatient medical rehabilitation, you can contribute to the costs with a maximum of 10.00 EUR per day. The co-payment depends on the amount of your income.

If employers do not continue to pay your wages during your medical rehab due to similar previous illnesses, you may receive a transitional allowance from the pension insurance.

You cannot receive medical rehab if you are

  • are entitled to a similar benefit from another rehab provider (for example, from accident insurance) because of an occupational accident, occupational disease, or third-party injury,
  • are a civil servant, soldier, judge or magistrate. Please contact your local integration office to find out from whom you can receive benefits,
  • are already receiving or have applied for a retirement pension (at least two-thirds of a full pension),
  • have permanently retired from working life and are receiving, for example, a company pension until the start of your old-age pension, or
  • are in custody or serving a prison sentence.

You can receive medical rehabilitation from the pension insurance if you have been

  • have been insured in the statutory pension insurance for at least 15 years (the so-called "waiting period of 15 years") or
  • receive a pension due to reduced earning capacity or
  • receive a large widow's or widower's pension due to reduced earning capacity or
  • have paid compulsory contributions for insured employment or activity for 6 calendar months in the 2 years preceding the application, or
  • have been in insured employment or self-employment within 2 years of training up to the date of application, or have been incapacitated for work or unemployed after such employment or activity up to the date of application, or
  • have reduced earning capacity or this is to be expected in the foreseeable future if you fulfill the general waiting period of 5 years.

  • Required Documents
    • Report of the findings of your attending physician

You can submit your application online, in person, or in writing.

Online application:

  • On the website of the German Pension Insurance (DRV) under "Online Services" you will find detailed information on the process.
  • If you follow the link "Submit application", you will be guided through the further steps and can select the desired application.
  • Alternatively, you can use the online services with registration. For example, you can see right away which insurance periods have already been recorded. You also save time and do not have to re-enter data you already know.
  • Complete the application in full and upload the required documents.
  • Submit your application online.
  • You will receive a confirmation of submission.
  • The responsible pension insurance institution will review your application.
  • You will receive a decision on your application.

In-person application:

  • Compile the necessary documents for your application and make an appointment with the DRV.
  • When making an appointment online, your personal data and, if possible, your insurance number are required.
  • You can select a desired counseling center and your preferred appointment time. Depending on the availability of free appointments, you will receive a proposal for a binding counseling appointment.
  • During your personal consultation, your application will be recorded electronically and forwarded online to the responsible pension insurance institution.
  • The responsible pension insurance institution will review your application.
  • You will receive a decision on your application.

Written application:

  • Go to the DRV's website.
  • Download the application form you need.
  • You can also pick up the form in person at the information and advice centers.
  • Complete and sign the application form and attach the required documents.
  • Send all documents
    • send it by mail to your pension insurance provider or
    • hand it in at one of the local advice centers.
  • The responsible pension insurance institution will review your application.
  • You will receive a decision on your application.

A person you trust can also submit your application on your behalf. For this purpose, please submit a power of attorney to the pension insurance company. As long as the power of attorney is valid, the pension insurance company will only contact the person you have authorized.

If you give your consent to electronic communication, all correspondence can be done online. Either use the electronic mailbox under online services with registration or De-Mail.

There are no costs involved.

There are no deadlines.

Usually 3 weeks.

  • Objection
    Detailed information on how to file an appeal can be found in your notice.
  • Legal action
    Detailed information on how to file a lawsuit can be found in the notice of appeal.

Status: 09.03.2025
Editorially responsible for prodecure description: Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales
Source: Federal Portal