Sick employees receive a certificate of incapacity for work (AU) from the doctor specially for the health insurance companies.
But what happens if you forget to send the yellow note there?
With a cough, runny nose and fever, workers should definitely stay at home in bed instead of dragging themselves to work.
This does not only apply during pandemic times, when these symptoms can indicate an infection with the coronavirus *.
After the third day of illness at the latest, employees need a sick note from the doctor in order to be able to prove the incapacity to work to the supervisor.
The doctor issues a certificate of incapacity for work (AU), always in four copies: One “yellow certificate” is intended for the employer, one for the practice, one for the employee himself and one for the health insurance company.
But do employees
really always have to send
the
AU to the health insurance company?
And what happens if employees forget it?
Do I always have to send the AU to the health insurance company?
Yes, employees must always submit the AU for the health insurance.
In this way, employees secure their entitlement to sick pay.
This is what the health insurance companies pay for
Illnesses that
last longer than six weeks
.
The employer ensures that wages will continue to be paid beforehand.
+
Employees receive the certificate of incapacity for work (AU) in three copies - also for the health insurance company.
© Jens Büttner / dpa
When do I have to submit a certificate of incapacity to work to the health insurance company?
The certificate of incapacity for work should be
submitted
to the health insurance company
as soon as possible, but
no later than one week after the sick leave
.
This period is set out in the Social Security Code (Section 49 (1) No. 55 SGB V).
You can recognize the correct copy by the imprint
"for submission to the health insurance company"
.
Also read:
Sick leave: does the weekend count towards the three-day period?
What happens if I forget to send the AU to the health insurance company?
Even if it's a nuisance, you shouldn't be sloppy on this point.
If you forget to send the "yellow note" for the health insurance company, you will
lose your entitlement to sickness benefit
.
Upon receipt of the AU, the health insurance will automatically check whether you are entitled to sickness benefit and whether the certificate has been received on time.
Also interesting:
Notification of sickness during short-time work: You have to pay attention to this.
Sick notification for the health insurance company: Submit it by post, online or in person?
The easiest way to submit your AU to the health insurance company is to send it by post.
The health insurance companies have usually set up a nationwide address for this.
A look at the cash register's website will help.
However, labor rights experts recommend
sending
the copy
by registered mail
with acknowledgment
of receipt if the sick note is lost in the mail.
Many health insurances now also offer to
upload
the AU
online
.
If you have a branch nearby, you can also hand in the receipt in
person
or ask family and friends to
do
so.
Taking a fever made easy
Regardless of whether it is for adults or children: measuring a fever is easiest with a forehead thermometer (promotional link).
The built-in sensor measures the body temperature precisely and quickly in just two seconds.
AU: "Yellow note" will be abolished in 2021
By the way: For a long time you will no longer have to send the “yellow certificate” to the health insurer, because the AU is to be phased out from autumn 2021.
You'll find more about it here.
(as)
* Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.
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Source: Arbeitsrechte.de, AOK ,wirtschaftsforum.de
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List of rubric lists: © Jens Büttner / dpa