Vorsorge- und Früherkennungsuntersuchung Durchführung bei Kindern

You can take advantage of health check-ups for your children. This means that a child's general state of health and age-appropriate development are regularly examined by a doctor. Possible problems or abnormalities can be detected and treated at an early stage.

The health check-ups for children and adolescents, known as U1 to U9 and J1, can be an important building block for healthy child development. Especially in the first few years of life, children take huge developmental steps.

During the "U" examinations, the general state of health and age-appropriate development of a child are regularly checked by a doctor. This allows potential problems or abnormalities to be detected and treated at an early stage.

The health check-ups for children and adolescents are defined as benefits provided by statutory health insurance. The content, timing and structure of the examination program is determined by the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) in the guideline on the early detection of diseases in children (children's guideline).

The individual U examinations consist of

• special screening examinations for certain diseases
• physical examinations of the child and
• a consultation with the parents

The physical examination of the child is tailored to the child's age and includes the examination of

• weight
• body length,
• age-appropriate development,
• examination of individual organs
• the head and
• the musculoskeletal system

During the developmental assessment, the doctor examines, among other things

• gross and fine motor skills,
• mental development,
• social and emotional competence and
• the child's interaction with the parents.

If these examinations reveal the presence or suspicion of an illness, the doctor should ensure that these cases receive further, targeted diagnosis and, if necessary, treatment.

In addition to early detection of illness, the doctor checks whether and, if so, which individual stresses and health risks are present in the child and advises the parents on how they can reduce these. If necessary, the doctor can issue a prevention recommendation and point out regional parent-child services.

Part of the examination is also a review of the child's vaccination status and advice on how to improve their vaccination protection. In addition, proof of a medical vaccination consultation must be provided when the child is first admitted to the daycare center.

The U examinations are documented in the yellow child examination booklet. It contains a removable participation card with which parents can prove to third parties - such as nurseries - that their child regularly attends the U-examinations without disclosing confidential information.

In addition to the statutory examinations of the U-examination program, a number of health insurance companies offer additional examinations, especially for children of primary school age (U10 and U11) and for adolescents (J2). Their range of examinations is not defined by the G-BA. The costs are covered by individual health insurance companies as a voluntary service.

The dental health of children and adolescents can be improved through early detection examinations and regular measures to prevent dental diseases. Statutory health insurance covers a wide range of early detection and preventive measures for children and adolescents.

For the examinations you will need

• the electronic health card of the child or adolescent
• the child examination booklet ("yellow booklet"), which you will receive directly after birth

Children and adolescents are generally entitled to the examinations until they reach the age of 18.

The following examination periods must be observed:

• U1: immediately after birth
• Extended newborn screening: 2nd - 3rd day of life
• Newborn hearing screening: up to the 3rd day of life
• U2: 3rd-10th day of life
• U3: 4th-5th week of life
• U4: 3rd-4th month of life
• U5: 6th-7th month of life
• U6: 10th-12th month of life
• U7: 21st-24th month of life
• U7a: 34th-36th month of life
• U8: 46th-48th month of life
• U9: 60th - 64th month of life
• J1: 13th-14th year of life

Preventive dental check-ups:

• Early detection examination for dental, oral and maxillofacial diseases: six times between the ages of 6 months and 6 years of age
• Measures to prevent dental diseases, known as individual prophylaxis: once every six months from the age of 6 to 17 years

There are no co-payments for health check-ups for children and young people with statutory health insurance.

The health check-ups for children and adolescents should take place in the periods in which they are scheduled.

In addition to the statutory examinations of the U-examination program, a number of health insurance companies offer additional examinations, especially for children of primary school age (U10 and U11) and for adolescents (J2). Their range of examinations is not defined by the Joint Federal Committee (G-BA). The costs are covered by individual health insurance companies as a voluntary service.

The following applies to preventive dental check-ups: From the age of 12, the check-ups are entered in a bonus booklet. These entries later serve as proof of entitlement to increased subsidies for dentures.

An appeal can be lodged against the decision of a health insurance fund. If the appeal is not upheld, an action can be brought before the competent social court.

• Children and young people are entitled to health check-ups
• Examinations include
  • Physical examinations of the child
  • Special screening examinations for certain diseases
  • Assessment and evaluation of health risks
  • Checking the completeness of the vaccination status
  • Prevention advice and recommendations for behavioral prevention services, including information on regional support services for parents and children
• Dental examinations include in particular
  • Inspecting the oral cavity, assessing oral hygiene status
  • Assess and determine caries risk,
  • nutritional and oral hygiene advice,
  • Measures to harden the enamel of the teeth and reduce the bacterial count
• Costs are covered by statutory health insurance companies
• Entitlement applies until the age of 18

Responsible health insurance company

The responsibility lies with the respective health insurance company.