If you are a patient looking for advice on health, illness, health insurance or patient rights, you can get competent help and free advice from the Independent Patient Advisory Service Germany (UPD).
The Unabhängige Patientenberatung Deutschland is an association of independent advice centers and is supported by the Sozialverband VDK e.V., the Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband e.V. and the Verbund unabhängige Patientenberatung e.V.. The UPD has been commissioned by the GKV Spitzenverband to test a patient-oriented counseling infrastructure in Germany on a model basis.
The spectrum of patient advice covers health, legal and psychosocial issues and ranges from information on clinical pictures and treatment and prevention options to advice on medication, remedies and aids. Support is also provided, for example in the search for self-help groups. It also advises on clarification options and legal remedies in health-related disputes.
The association Patientenombudsmann/-frau Schleswig-Holstein e. V. also offers independent and free support in the event of possible conflicts, particularly between patients and doctors, but also with hospitals, health insurance companies, rehabilitation facilities and pharmacies.