AUSTRIAN SICKNESS INSURANCE
WIENER GEBIETSKRANKENKASSE (GKK)
PROCEDURE FOR REQUESTING KRANKENKASSENCHECKS
1. The Austrian sickness insurance (Wiener Gebietskrankenkasse (GKK)) introduced, effective 1 January 1997, a fee for the issuance of medical vouchers (Krankenkassenschecks). A fee of AS 50 per medical voucher is payable upon issuance of the following, in any quarter, to staff members or co-insured spouses/life companions :
vouchers for a general practitioner (limit of one per quarter);
vouchers for a specialist (limit of three per quarter); and
the first voucher for a dentist (Zahnschein).
Additional vouchers for dental treatment are free, as are medical vouchers for dependent children and for treatment during vacations (Urlaubskrankenkassenschecks or Auslandsbetreuungscheine).
2. The following procedure applies since 1January 1997 for the issuance of medical vouchers :
(1)GKK participants should submit an application form requesting medical vouchers specifying their name, the type and number of vouchers requested and the quarter for which they are requested. Applications are also required for medical vouchers for which there is no fee, e.g. for children or for Urlaubskrankenkassenchecks. The application forms are available from the Social Security office, E1075.
(2)Participants should transfer the fee of AS 50.- per voucher to the Bank Austria account No. 690 030 200; pre-printed transfer slips (Erlagscheine) are also available from the Social Security office, E1075. Please write your name legibly on BOTH sides of the transfer slips.
(3)The receipt of the bank deposit should be attached to the completed application and sent to the Social Security office, E1075.
(4)The requested medical vouchers will be issued as soon as possible. Only in emergency situations will a medical voucher be issued immediately. The vouchers will either be sent by internal mail to the room number indicated on the request form or may be picked up from the Social Security office, E1075.
3. Applications should be made well in advance of planned medical visits. Personal or telephonic requests will not be accepted. Staff members may wish to keep application forms at home in order to be able to apply for medical vouchers when on sick leave.
4. Fees paid for the issuance of medical vouchers cover administrative rather than medical expenses and will not be reimbursed by Van Breda to participants in the Supplementary Medical Insurance Plan (SMIP).
5. Auslandsbetreuungsscheine may be issued for the following countries: Belgium, Bosnia-Herzogowina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Island, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Yugoslavia. Participants and their dependants who are Austrian citizens receive medical treatment in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on basis of a valid passport, which must be presented to the local health authorities. During travels in other countries than mentioned above, medical expenses have to be prepaid and claimed from GKK upon returning to Austria.
6. GKK participants are reminded that it is their responsibility to register their dependants at the GKK and to ensure continued coverage of children after age 18. The Social Security office can only issue medical vouchers for members of the participant=s household for whom GKK has confirmed the eligibility. The GKK forms for requesting coverage of household members are available from the Social Security office.