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What is a spa or health resort?
Spas and health resorts are highly predicatised places that have special natural conditions for the healing, alleviation or prevention of illnesses and meet special requirements or offer certain natural healing procedures. Special natural conditions are, for example, natural remedies in the soil such as healing water deposits or healing earth.
Accordingly, spas and health resorts are geared towards the healing, alleviation or prevention of illnesses and therefore often see themselves as health resorts. Here you will find special spa facilities that contribute to maintaining health or recovery by offering relaxation, exercise and recreation. recreation.
Typical spa facilities include, for example, spa parks, medical hiking trails, facilities for dispensing and/or using natural local remedies such as drinking fountains or baths and exercise pools.
Furthermore, spas and health resorts have a spa doctor who looks after spa guests during their spa stay (especially during an outpatient preventive cure) and prescribes suitable therapies typical of the spa.
What does the term "cure" mean?
The term "cure" is derived from the Latin "cura" and means healing, treatment, care, welfare. The term became particularly popular in the 19th century, when the aristocracy and bourgeoisie travelled to health resorts to escape from everyday life and do something good for themselves. Even back then, people were supposed to be strengthened mentally and physically during their stays at spas. Just like the Romans back then, they used hot vapours, mineral and thermal springs as natural remedies to strengthen their health. The first work on spa medicine was published as early as 1581.
Even today, a "cure" still describes a stay in a health resort or spa to strengthen mental and physical health.
Over the years, various forms of spa treatment have evolved.
People keep telling us that they have been to a spa or are going to a spa. But do they all mean the same thing? Every health cure is related to health. However, while one cure involves preventative measures to maintain health, another treats the restoration of health after an illness or its alleviation.
In addition, the term "health cure" is no longer used in legislation and other terms such as "outpatient preventive services in recognised health resorts" (formerly outpatient spa treatment) or "rehabilitation" and "follow-up treatment" are used. However, the term "cure" is still widely used.
We explain the individual types of spa treatment in detail below:
Outpatient preventive services in accordance with § 23 Para. 2 SGB V (formerly open spa treatment)
The aim of outpatient preventive services (or outpatient preventive cures or preventive cures) is to strengthen physical and mental health when the first signs of illness are already recognisable. They are intended to mitigate the course of the illness and help you to get fit again. The main aim is to provide useful tips and tricks for everyday life. This form of treatment is particularly suitable for people of working age, as they are increasingly complaining of back pain, stress or signs of burnout. In order to prevent chronic illnesses from developing, a preventive health cure should be organised.
A preventive cure usually lasts 3 weeks and is a perfect combination of rest, relaxation and exercise, paired with medical care from the spa doctor. You enjoy hotel comfort in your chosen accommodation and take advantage of the treatments and services prescribed by the spa doctor in various spa-typical facilities. The health insurance companies will cover 100% of the spa doctor's costs, 90% of the spa equipment and subsidise accommodation and meals up to 16 euros per day. (Note: costs for accommodation and meals can be claimed against tax as extraordinary expenses).
Incidentally, employees do not have to take leave for the outpatient preventive health cure if the medical necessity of the cure is certified by a doctor. In this case, the period of the preventive health cure can be categorised as sick leave. However, you should inform your employer in good time about the planned preventive health cure.
What to expect from an outpatient preventive health cure:
- Bathing in thermal water
- Physiotherapy
- Massages
- Healing packs
- Movement and relaxation exercises
- Therapy sessions
- and much more.
You can choose the right spa programme for you together with your spa doctor.
It's best to speak to your GP and submit the application to your health insurance provider together!
You can find all the information you need for your outpatient preventive health cure here.
Good to know:
Since 2021, outpatient preventive care services are once again a mandatory benefit provided by health insurance companies. If medically necessary, health insurance companies must provide outpatient preventive care services at recognised health resorts.
Inpatient preventive health cure according to § 23 para. 4 SGB V
The aim of inpatient preventive health cures is also to prevent the worsening of illnesses. However, unlike outpatient preventive treatment, you will be accommodated in a preventive care clinic. Here, nursing staff are on hand around the clock. Inpatient preventive health cures are particularly suitable if the patient has limited mobility or orientation and is unable to care for themselves.
Outpatient rehabilitation cure in accordance with § 40 Para. 1 SGB V
The aim of outpatient rehabilitation treatment is to restore health after an illness. As this is an outpatient cure, accommodation and meals are provided in a hotel or holiday flat, while the medical services are provided in an outpatient rehabilitation centre or a rehabilitation clinic that offers outpatient measures close to your accommodation. The costs for the medical services are covered by the responsible cost bearer.
Inpatient rehabilitation treatment in accordance with § 40 Para. 2 SGB V
During inpatient rehabilitation treatment, which is designed to restore your health after an illness, you will be accommodated in a rehabilitation clinic. You will be assisted by nursing staff around the clock. The costs are covered by the responsible cost bearer.
Find all rehabilitation clinics in Bad Neuenahr here.
Follow-up treatment (AHB or follow-up rehabilitation) in accordance with § 40 Para. 2 SGB V
Follow-up treatments are measures to restore your health immediately following hospital treatment or outpatient surgery. You will be accommodated in a rehabilitation clinic. The costs are covered by the responsible cost bearer.
Find all rehabilitation clinics in Bad Neuenahr here.
Mother/father/child cure according to § 24 SGB V or § 41 SGB V
Here, one parent travels to the spa together with the child. This is available both as an inpatient preventive cure and as an inpatient rehabilitation cure. The costs are covered by the responsible insurance provider.
