Debate Intensifies Over Future of Telephone Sick Notes in Germany

While some argue for the abolition of phone-based sick leave due to rising absenteeism, others defend it as a necessary measure for public health and administrative efficiency.

The option for telephone sick notes was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic and made permanent in December 2023, allowing patients known to a practice to call in sick without a physical visit.
Finance Minister Christian Lindner and employer groups advocate for ending phone-based sick notes, citing a correlation with increased absenteeism.
Health insurance providers and the House Doctors' Association oppose the abolition, arguing that phone sick notes reduce the burden on clinics and prevent the spread of infections.
Critics of the abolition proposal highlight the lack of evidence linking phone sick notes to misuse or higher absentee rates, suggesting other factors like better data capture and increased health awareness post-pandemic.
The debate reflects broader tensions between economic concerns and public health priorities, with unions and healthcare professionals warning against overburdening medical practices.