Telephone certification of incapacity for work

Since December 7th, 2023, it has now been permanently possible to attest to incapacity for work by telephone under certain conditions. The joint federal committee made this decision in the Incapacity for Work Directive.

The following limits must be adhered to:

• The determination of incapacity to work during remote treatment during a video consultation took priority over a telephone anamnesis
• The patients are known personally in the practice
• The disease is diagnosed with a regularly milder course and is expected to be short-lived
• A maximum period of 5 days is observed
• Subsequent certificates are excluded

The decision was made for an indefinite period of time, which is why this regulation is now permanently included in the incapacity for work guidelines.