Issuing a private prescription: All information for 2025 (+ frequently asked questions)

The most important things in brief

Here is a brief summary of the most important points of the article:

1. private prescription definition: A private prescription is a medical prescription for medicines whose costs are not covered by statutory health insurance.
   
2. Who is allowed to issue it? Any licensed doctor, regardless of health insurance approval or type of practice. Dentists and veterinarians can also issue private prescriptions for their specialist areas.
   
3. Who is it for? Privately insured persons, self-payers and patients who need medication outside the GKV benefits catalog.
   
4. Mandatory information: Name and address of the doctor, patient data, medication details, date and signature of the doctor. A stamp is not absolutely necessary.
   
5. E-prescription for privately insured persons: Theoretically possible, but not yet widely available. Patients can receive the prescription as a QR code for digital redemption.
   
6. Costs for the doctor: The mere issuance of a private prescription is usually not reimbursed. However, a medical consultation or examination can be billed according to the GOÄ.

What is a private prescription?

A private prescription is a medical prescription for medicines that is not covered by statutory health insurance (GKV). It is issued for privately insured persons, self-payers or certain medications that are not included in the GKV benefits catalog.

Key features of a private prescription:

1. Chargeable: Patients must bear the costs themselves or settle them with their private health insurance.
   
2. Flexible: Doctors can prescribe medications that go beyond the statutory health insurance.
   
3. Independent of the cash register: Applies equally to legally and privately insured persons.

In contrast to a cash register recipe (pink recipe), a private recipe is usually blue or white and is subject to less strict regulations.

Issue private prescriptions correctly: This information is mandatory for doctors

For a private prescription to be valid, it must contain certain minimum information. Even though it is subject to less strict regulations than a prescription, some mandatory information is required to enable pharmacies and insurance companies to clearly identify them.

Important mandatory information on a private prescription:

1. Name and address of the doctor: The practice or clinic must be clearly identifiable.
2. Issuing date: Without a date, the recipe is not valid.
3. patient data: Name, date of birth and address of the patient.
4. Medication information: Name, active ingredient, dosage, quantity and, if applicable, dosage form.
5. Doctor's signature: No validity without signature.

Additional details Such as the doctor's number (LANR) or a stamp from the practice are not mandatory, but they increase traceability. A correctly issued private prescription ensures smooth redemption at the pharmacy and can facilitate reimbursement through private health insurance.

Who is allowed to issue private prescriptions?

In principle, every licensed doctor may issue a private prescription — regardless of whether he runs his own practice, works in a clinic or works as a representative. Dentists and veterinarians can also issue private prescriptions for their respective fields.

However, there are special rules for:

1. Naturopath: You may not prescribe prescription drugs, but only recommend over-the-counter preparations or homeopathic remedies.
   
2. Doctors abroad: In some cases, private recipes from other EU countries are recognized as long as they meet German requirements.

Note: Even doctors without health insurance approval who are not connected to the statutory health insurance system may issue private prescriptions.

Who can a doctor issue private prescriptions for?

A private prescription can be issued to various patient groups, regardless of their insurance status. It is always used when the costs are not covered by statutory health insurance.

Private recipes are available for:

• Privately insured patients who pay for their medication themselves and submit the bill to their insurance company.
  
• Statutory insured persons as self-payers if the prescribed medication is not reimbursed by the GKV.
  
• Patients who need individual therapies, such as alternative drugs or preparations without health insurance approval.
  
• Travelers and foreign patients who do not have German insurance but still need a prescription.

Since legally insured persons can also use private prescriptions in certain cases, it is worthwhile to consult with the doctor, especially when it comes to non-refundable medicines or special treatment requests.

Can you issue a private prescription retrospectively?

Yes, a private prescription can be issued retrospectively as long as certain requirements are met. In principle, it is up to the doctor to issue a prescription retroactively.

However, there are a few aspects to consider:

• Medical documentation: The doctor must ensure that the prescription is medically justified and, at best, that appropriate treatment documentation is available.
  
• Time limit: A private prescription should be issued promptly. Backdating for too long could be problematic, particularly when it comes to reimbursements from private health insurance companies.
  
• No retroactive settlement with the GKV: Legally insured persons cannot convert a private prescription into a cash prescription retrospectively.
  
• Pharmacy acceptance: Some pharmacies may be reluctant to accept backdated prescriptions, particularly for certain medications such as narcotics or high-priced drugs.

Issuing private recipes Sample template: This is what a correct recipe looks like

In order to provide you with even more detailed guidance, we have a online store linked. Here, every doctor, dentist, vet, alternative practitioner or physiotherapist can buy and print private prescriptions and prescription blocks in over 80 different templates. You can select blank recipes or a suitable template for your private recipe and customize them with practical experience.

Optionally: We are currently in the process of creating a sample template for a correctly issued private recipe. As soon as this is available, we will update it here so that you can use it as a practical guide.

Issuance costs: How much does a doctor earn from a private prescription?

Issuing a private prescription does not automatically result in remuneration for the doctor. Unlike a health insurance prescription, which is billed by the statutory health insurance fund, the remuneration for a private prescription is based on Schedule of fees for doctors (GOÄ).

Whether a doctor earns from a private prescription depends on various factors. If the prescription is issued as part of ongoing treatment, this is often done without an additional fee. However, if an examination or consultation is necessary, the doctor can bill this according to the GOÄ. Depending on the effort and diagnosis, there may be different costs here.

Repeat prescriptions are issued as a service in many practices at no additional cost to the patient. Ultimately, a private prescription only brings income to the doctor if it is combined with a private medical service. Otherwise, the exhibition usually remains a supplementary measure within patient care.

Can you issue a private prescription as an e-prescription?

Yes, a private prescription can be issued as an e-prescription. While the introduction of electronic prescriptions was initially focused on cash prescriptions, there are now also solutions for private prescriptions. However, the technical implementation varies depending on practice software and pharmacy.

In principle, doctors can create a private prescription digitally and provide it via an e-prescription platform or a secure digital signature. Patients then receive a QR code, which they can show at the pharmacy or redeem directly via an app.

Note: The e-prescription for privately insured persons is not yet available nationwide, as private health insurance companies and pharmacies are gradually being connected to the system.

Manage private recipes & billing more easily: Here's how it works with Nelly

The exhibition of private and e-recipes is an important part of everyday practice — but it can be made easier and more efficient. With digital solutions like Nelly invoices, documents and billing processes can be managed completely digitally.

• Digital document management: Less paperwork, more efficiency.
  
• Automated invoicing: Patients receive their bills via email or SMS and can conveniently pay online. This allows private patients to forward their bill directly to the insurance company — no need to scan it anymore.
  
• Seamless integration with practice management system: No additional tools, but direct connection to existing processes.

With Nelly, you save valuable time and reduce administrative costs in your practice. Test now how easy digital processes can improve your day-to-day practice.

Find out more here about digitizing your practice with Nelly!

Common questions

How do you issue a private prescription?

A private prescription is issued manually or digitally by the doctor and must contain certain mandatory information: the doctor's name and address, patient data, medication name, dosage, quantity, date and the doctor's signature. It can be on a blue or white prescription form or as E-prescription be created.

What is the difference between a private prescription and a cash prescription?

A Cash register recipe (pink prescription) is issued to legally insured persons and the costs are usually covered by health insurance. A private recipe On the other hand, it is aimed at privately insured persons or self-payers who initially bear the costs of the medication themselves and may be reimbursed by their private insurance company.

Can any doctor issue a private prescription?

Yes, every licensed doctor may issue a private prescription — regardless of whether he has health insurance approval or only bills privately. Dentists and veterinarians may also issue private prescriptions for their specialist areas. Naturopaths, on the other hand, are not allowed to prescribe prescription drugs.

Is a private prescription valid without a stamp?

Yes, a private prescription remains valid even without a stamp, as long as all necessary information is included. However, the doctor must sign the prescription by hand. A practice stamp can make identification easier, but it is not mandatory.

Can a doctor issue a private prescription online?

Yes, doctors can issue private prescriptions online as long as they use a qualified electronic signature (QES). Patients usually receive the prescription as an e-prescription with a QR code, which they can redeem in a pharmacy. However, the digital private prescription is not yet available in all pharmacies.

Are pharmacists allowed to issue private prescriptions as freelance prescribers?

No, pharmacists are not allowed to issue private prescriptions. They are responsible for dispensing and advising on medications, but not for their medical prescription. Prescriptions may only be given by licensed doctors or other qualified healthcare professionals.

How long are private prescriptions valid?

A private prescription is usually valid for three months, unless the doctor has specified a shorter period of time. Some drugs, such as narcotics (BtM), have a significantly shorter period of validity of seven days. After the deadline, pharmacies decide individually whether they still accept the prescription.