Midwife assistance; utilization

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

Women insured under the statutory health insurance scheme are entitled to midwife assistance during pregnancy, during and after childbirth, in addition to their entitlement to medical care. Midwifery assistance includes services during pregnancy and childbirth provided by a state-certified and recognized midwife or maternity nurse. The provision of services is governed by the midwife assistance contract.

Midwifery assistance includes

Maternity care and antenatal care services,
Obstetrics,
services during the postpartum period up to 12 weeks after the birth and
other services, such as advice for the mother in the event of breastfeeding difficulties or postnatal gymnastics with group instruction.

Midwife assistance can be claimed during pregnancy and up to 12 weeks after delivery (exception: advice for the mother in the event of breastfeeding difficulties or feeding problems for the baby).

Midwifery assistance is provided to insured persons as a benefit in kind, i.e. the midwives bill the health insurance companies directly. Only services that are regulated in the midwives' fee schedule can be billed.

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

You are covered by statutory health insurance.

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 will bill your health insurance company.

The websites of the GKV-Spitzenverband and the Bayerischer Hebammen Landesverband will help you to search online for a licensed midwife in your area. (See under "Further links")