FAQ on father-child cure

Special father-child cures aim to improve the health and well-being of fathers and their children. The offer is aimed at fathers who have certain health risks or pre-existing illnesses. Psychosocial issues such as separation, care or the loss of relatives can also lead to everyday life being perceived as a heavy burden.

The father-child cure offers fathers the opportunity to take care of their health while spending time with their children. A therapy plan ensures individual medical and psychological care. During the cure, fathers and their children can participate in various activities designed to strengthen the family bond, promote health and reduce stress. These activities may include family therapy, relaxation techniques, sports and exercise programs and workshops on topics such as nutrition and stress management.

The inpatient cure takes place in an approved cure facility or clinic. A cure usually lasts three weeks. The child or children can also receive medical treatment if there is a separate indication.

The legal basis for father-child measures is set out in § 24 and § 41 of the Fifth Book of the German Social Code (SGB V). According to this, people with statutory health insurance are legally entitled to a preventive measure to

• eliminate a weakening of health that would probably lead to illness in the foreseeable future,
• counteract a risk to the child's health development,
• prevent illnesses or avoid their worsening or
• avoid the need for care.

You are entitled to a rehabilitation measure in order to

• cure or improve an illness or prevent it from worsening.

If you have private insurance, you should clarify individually whether your contract or allowance provides for a father-child cure.

Children can be taken along to the father-child cure if

• they are 12 years old or younger; a separate application must be submitted for children aged between 12 and 14. Exception: There is no age limit for disabled children
• they are also ill or their health is at risk
• they cannot be psychologically separated from their father
• the relationship between father and child is strained
• there are no other care options for the children

In order for you to be able to concentrate on the treatments provided for in the treatment plan, the spa facilities have high-quality childcare facilities.

Children are exempt from compulsory school attendance during inpatient treatment. Good to know: Almost all spa facilities employ pedagogically trained staff who teach school-age children during the cure. The subject matter is generally clarified with the children's school so that the children don't miss out on anything from a subject perspective.

As a first step, you will need a certificate form for your spa treatment application. You can obtain this from your health insurance provider or an advice center, such as the Mutter-Kind-Hilfswerk e.V. or the Deutsches Müttergenesungswerk.

To apply for a so-called preventive or rehabilitation benefit, you need to visit your family doctor, paediatrician or specialist. Civil servants consult a public health officer or medical officer. If the doctor deems the cure to be medically necessary, you will receive the relevant certificates and the completed cure application from them.

Use these documents to apply for a father-child cure from your health insurance provider. A suitable clinic for your cure will be found in consultation with you. Statutory health insurance companies are obliged to respect the insured person's right to choose. As soon as you receive written confirmation from your health insurance provider, you can book an appointment at the clinic.

No. The Federal Leave Act stipulates that preventive medical care and rehabilitation measures are not counted towards leave. This means that working fathers do not have to take leave for a medically prescribed father-child measure. The employer is obliged to release you from work for the duration of the treatment and to continue paying your salary during this time. You only need to submit the declaration of assumption of costs or approval in advance. Corresponding regulations apply for civil servants.

Yes, the consequences of constant stress often manifest themselves in different physical or psychological symptoms in men than in women. In addition, they often deal with illnesses differently. You should therefore make sure you choose a suitable spa facility. Find out which facilities offer special services for fathers. More and more clinics are integrating male-specific treatment approaches into their competence profile and therefore offer concepts specifically geared towards fathers.

The statutory health insurance companies will cover the costs of your cure once the treatment has been approved. If you have private health insurance, submit the application to your insurance company. Clarify in advance whether your contract includes coverage of spa costs. Civil servants submit the spa treatment application to the benefits office.
Irrespective of whether your health insurance covers the costs, you are always free to take a spa treatment that you pay for yourself.

If you have statutory health insurance and are not exempt from co-payments, you must pay an additional 10 euros per day to the provider of the program. No co-payments are required for children who have not yet reached the age of 18.
A personal contribution of 10 percent of the actual costs is required for travel expenses. This is a minimum of 5 euros and a maximum of 10 euros per trip and person.
Single fathers who do not have the money for the statutory co-payment can be supported by donations from the Deutsches Müttergenesungswerk.
If you have private health insurance, clarify the co-payment amounts with your insurance company or the relevant benefits office.

In principle, you can apply for a father-child cure every four years if the requirements are met.

If the health insurance company rejects your application for a cure, you can lodge an objection with your health insurance company within four weeks. This is best done together with your doctor or with the support of an advice center. There is no set form for the letter of objection.