Get money back for a private doctor
Official name: Prepare private doctor reimbursement
A Wahlarzt is a doctor without a contract with your health insurance. You pay the bill yourself first. Then you can get part of it back from the ÖGK. Here you prepare this step by step.
No account · Answers stay in your browser
- Steps
- 7 key steps, up to 23 depending on your situation
- For you
- 5 short questions, then you see your steps
- Main office
- ÖGK
- Costs
- none named in the sources
- Online
- possible for 10 of 23 steps
How it works
These are the key steps, in the right order. Answer the short questions; then you see exactly what applies to you and what is added.
Tell your bill apart from the KassentarifThe ÖGK is the Österreichische Gesundheitskasse, a health insurance. The Kassentarif is the price the ÖGK pays a contract doctor.Key step
- Why?
- The ÖGK usually pays back 80 percent of the Kassentarif. Not 80 percent of your bill. So you often get back less than you paid.
- What you do
- You get at most what you really paid. What applies to your treatment you check with the ÖGK. The app does not calculate any amount.
- Where?
- ÖGKDirectly with the named service
In detail
Distinguish contracted tariff and invoice amount
ÖGK generally reimburses 80 percent of the comparable contracted tariff, not 80 percent of the private invoice; at most actual costs. Clarify service and exclusions individually. The app calculates no payout and confirms no entitlement.
SourceWahlärzte: Erstattung, WAHonline, Belege und Frist
Wahlärzte: Erstattung, WAHonline, Belege und FristÖsterreichische Gesundheitskasse · retrieved on 10/10/2026
Legal basis: named on the source: ASVG; Satzung der Österreichischen Gesundheitskasse; Krankenordnung (read on 2026-10-12; not a legal assessment of your case)
Open original sourceAsk if the practice sends the billWAHonline is an online system. Through it the doctor's office sends the bill directly to the ÖGK.Key step
- Why?
- Since 1.7.2024 large Wahlarzt practices must do this. These are practices with 300 or more patients a year. Smaller practices can join voluntarily.
- What you do
- The office sends the bill after you have paid. Ask the office if it did this. Then you do not submit it again yourself.
- Where?
- Medical practice / ÖGKDirectly with the named service
In detail
Clarify practice WAHonline submission directly
Since 1 July 2024 non-contracted doctors with at least 300 patients annually must submit through WAHonline after payment. Smaller practices may participate voluntarily. Confirm actual transmission with practice; no blanket second self-submission.
SourceWahlärzte: Erstattung, WAHonline, Belege und Frist
Wahlärzte: Erstattung, WAHonline, Belege und FristÖsterreichische Gesundheitskasse · retrieved on 10/10/2026
Legal basis: named on the source: ASVG; Satzung der Österreichischen Gesundheitskasse; Krankenordnung (read on 2026-10-12; not a legal assessment of your case)
Open original sourceCheck that the bill is completeHere you check whether everything is on the Honorarnote. There is an official list for this.Key step
- Why?
- If something is missing, the ÖGK cannot check it well. Then it takes longer.
- What you do
- It must show: the office stamp, services with date or duration, diagnosis, your name, date of birth and insurance number. Original or copy depends on the way you choose.
- Where?
- ÖGKDirectly with the named service
What you need
- Complete itemised invoice
Document explained
Original or duplicate according to official submission route.
- Requirement
- Required when applicable
- Submission format
- Clarify format with the service
- Translation
- No specific rule recorded; clarify foreign-language records with the service.
- Authentication
- No specific rule recorded; clarify need before obtaining records.
- Recency
- No fixed age limit recorded; clarify currency with the service.
SourceWahlärzte: Erstattung, WAHonline, Belege und Frist
Wahlärzte: Erstattung, WAHonline, Belege und FristÖsterreichische Gesundheitskasse · retrieved on 10/10/2026
Legal basis: named on the source: ASVG; Satzung der Österreichischen Gesundheitskasse; Krankenordnung (read on 2026-10-12; not a legal assessment of your case)
Open original source
In detail
Review invoice completeness privately
Official list: provider stamp, actual services with dates/duration and diagnosis, name, date of birth and insurance number. Use original or duplicate according to selected official route. Enter no invoice or health data here.
SourceWahlärzte: Erstattung, WAHonline, Belege und Frist
Wahlärzte: Erstattung, WAHonline, Belege und FristÖsterreichische Gesundheitskasse · retrieved on 10/10/2026
Legal basis: named on the source: ASVG; Satzung der Österreichischen Gesundheitskasse; Krankenordnung (read on 2026-10-12; not a legal assessment of your case)
Open original sourceKeep your proof of payment readyA proof of payment shows that you have paid.Key step
- Why?
- The ÖGK wants to see that you really spent the money.
- What you do
- This can be a cash payment note on the bill. Or a payment slip or a bank statement. Do not enter bank details in the app.
- Where?
- ÖGKDirectly with the named service
What you need
- Relevant payment evidence
Document explained
Evidence payment of this invoice.
- Requirement
- Required when applicable
- Submission format
- Copy
- Translation
- No specific rule recorded; clarify foreign-language records with the service.
- Authentication
- No specific rule recorded; clarify need before obtaining records.
- Recency
- No fixed age limit recorded; clarify currency with the service.
SourceWahlärzte: Erstattung, WAHonline, Belege und Frist
Wahlärzte: Erstattung, WAHonline, Belege und FristÖsterreichische Gesundheitskasse · retrieved on 10/10/2026
Legal basis: named on the source: ASVG; Satzung der Österreichischen Gesundheitskasse; Krankenordnung (read on 2026-10-12; not a legal assessment of your case)
Open original source
In detail
Keep actual payment evidence ready
For example cash-paid notation on invoice, deposit receipt or relevant e-banking withdrawal/bank statement. Use only officially needed evidence directly; no bank data in app.
SourceWahlärzte: Erstattung, WAHonline, Belege und Frist
Wahlärzte: Erstattung, WAHonline, Belege und FristÖsterreichische Gesundheitskasse · retrieved on 10/10/2026
Legal basis: named on the source: ASVG; Satzung der Österreichischen Gesundheitskasse; Krankenordnung (read on 2026-10-12; not a legal assessment of your case)
Open original sourceWatch the 42-month deadlineA time limit is the time in which you must do something. The ÖGK states 42 months.Key step
- Why?
- If the time limit has passed, you may no longer get money.
- What you do
- The time limit counts from the day of treatment. Not from the date of the bill or payment. Check your time limit directly with the ÖGK.
- Where?
- ÖGKDirectly with the named service
In detail
Check 42 months from actual service date
ÖGK states 42 months from receiving service, not invoice or payment date. Review actual deadline and any query directly; no automatic calculation or deadline extension.
SourceWahlärzte: Erstattung, WAHonline, Belege und Frist
Wahlärzte: Erstattung, WAHonline, Belege und FristÖsterreichische Gesundheitskasse · retrieved on 10/10/2026
Legal basis: named on the source: ASVG; Satzung der Österreichischen Gesundheitskasse; Krankenordnung (read on 2026-10-12; not a legal assessment of your case)
Open original sourceGet everything ready to send inHere you get everything ready for submitting. That is the Honorarnote, proof of payment and only needed extra papers.Key step
- Why?
- With all papers it goes faster. The app sends nothing and promises no money.
- What you do
- Submit yourself through the confirmed way. Give your bank details only there. Keep the confirmation of receipt.
- Where?
- ÖGKDirectly with the named service
In detail
Keep confirmed paid invoice ready for own submission
Personally use invoice, payment evidence and only specifically needed additional records through confirmed official route. Provide bank details only there. Retain receipt. No transmission, payment or reimbursement promise by app.
SourceWahlärzte: Erstattung, WAHonline, Belege und Frist
Wahlärzte: Erstattung, WAHonline, Belege und FristÖsterreichische Gesundheitskasse · retrieved on 10/10/2026
Legal basis: named on the source: ASVG; Satzung der Österreichischen Gesundheitskasse; Krankenordnung (read on 2026-10-12; not a legal assessment of your case)
Open original sourceCheck how far the ÖGK has gotHere you have already submitted the bill. Now you see how far the ÖGK has got.Key step
- Why?
- This way you know if something is missing or an answer is coming soon.
- What you do
- Look in your own accounts, for example Meine ÖGK. There you see receipt, status and answer.
- Where?
- ÖGKDirectly with the named service
In detail
Follow already submitted invoice
Review existing receipt, handling status and response through own official access.
SourceWahlärzte: Erstattung, WAHonline, Belege und Frist
Wahlärzte: Erstattung, WAHonline, Belege und FristÖsterreichische Gesundheitskasse · retrieved on 10/10/2026
Legal basis: named on the source: ASVG; Satzung der Österreichischen Gesundheitskasse; Krankenordnung (read on 2026-10-12; not a legal assessment of your case)
Open original source
Depending on your situation, this is added
- Check if the bill was already sent in
- Ask about costs before treatment
- Check your insurer on the treatment day
- Check what kind of bill you have
- Have the ÖGK check the treatment
- Follow the bill already sent
- Check if you may claim for someone else
- Settle the open doctor's bill first
- Add only the extra papers you need
- Ask if you need extra papers
- Check the online route with ID Austria
- Ask about sending it by post
- Choose how to send it in
- Handle your sick note separately
- Send the ÖGK what is missing
- Check the ÖGK's answer and payment
Frequently asked questions
Can I do this online?
10 of 23 possible steps mention an online channel in their text. Requirements are in the official source.
What does it cost?
No costs are recorded for these steps in the linked sources. Fees may still apply.
Do I need an einfach.wien account?
No. The plan works without registration; answers stay in your browser.
Does einfach.wien submit my application?
No. einfach.wien helps you prepare and links official channels. You submit applications yourself to the responsible service.
What this page is based on
The information is based on official sources. einfach.wien is a private project; the content has not been professionally reviewed. All information without guarantee, no legal advice. The responsible office is always authoritative.
SourceWahlärzte: Erstattung, WAHonline, Belege und Frist
Österreichische Gesundheitskasse · retrieved on 10/10/2026
Legal basis: named on the source: ASVG; Satzung der Österreichischen Gesundheitskasse; Krankenordnung (read on 2026-10-12; not a legal assessment of your case)
Open original sourceSourceKassen-, Wahl- oder Privatarzt · Inhaltsstand12.5.2020
Gesundheitsportal · retrieved on 10/10/2026
Open original sourceSourceWahlarzt/Wahltherapeut: Einreichservice · Inhaltsstand31.12.2019
Dachverband Sozialversicherung · retrieved on 10/10/2026
Open original source