Why language matters in medicine
Medical history-taking depends on precise language. When a patient struggles to explain in a second language whether the pain is dull, sharp, pressing or pulling, nuances are lost – and nuances guide diagnoses. An English-speaking specialist removes that barrier and uses the full clinical depth.
There is also a psychological dimension. Illness makes you vulnerable. Communicating in a foreign language while feverish, in pain or anxious costs additional energy. Berlin expats, diplomats, fellows and tourists deserve care that does not require linguistic effort on top.
RAB deliberately recruits doctors who not only speak English but command medical English – history, findings, informed consent. Several team members additionally speak Italian, Polish, Russian or Spanish. You can state your language preference at booking.
Patient groups we particularly serve
Berlin expats typically work at US firms such as Salesforce, Microsoft and Amazon Berlin, in startups around Mitte and Kreuzberg, or in academic institutions such as Charité Global Health, Humboldt, FU or Hertie School. They want care their insurer – usually an international policy via Cigna, Allianz Worldwide Care, Bupa or Aetna – will accept.
Diplomats and embassy staff from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy and many other countries have specific care requirements. We coordinate with the embassy's medical section where requested, observe protocol-level confidentiality, and issue bilingual English/German certificates.
International students, particularly at Charité and Humboldt, are usually on German statutory insurance. They use our service as self-payers or via supplementary policies. We clarify costs transparently in advance.
How the visit unfolds for English-speaking patients
Dispatch on +49 30 550 77 870 takes the call, switches seamlessly into English and records symptoms, address, insurer and language preference. On request you receive a WhatsApp confirmation on the same number. A specialist with English profile takes the case.
On site the doctor conducts full history and examination in English, explains diagnosis, treatment and behavioural advice clearly. You receive a private prescription, an English-language summary of the visit, and where medically indicated an English sick note that international employers accept.
The invoice is issued under GOÄ via PVS. On request we issue the invoice in English with ICD-10 codes so you can submit it to your international insurer without translation work.
Insurance, reimbursement and direct billing
Most international private insurers reimburse house calls at one hundred percent provided medical necessity is documented. We know the typical requirements of Cigna, Allianz Worldwide Care, IMG, Aetna International and Bupa Global and structure the invoice accordingly.
True direct billing (cashless) is possible with some providers but not all. With insurers that do not offer direct billing you pay upfront and submit the invoice via the insurer's app – usually settled in days, not weeks.
For US patients with policies such as Aetna, Anthem or UnitedHealthcare via international riders we can provide CPT-style codes alongside ICD-10. Before booking you can clarify details on +49 30 550 77 870; we also reply to English WhatsApp messages on the same number.
Berlin expat districts where we mainly work
Mitte is the heart of Berlin's international community: embassies, corporates, tech startups, premium hotels. We see several patients here daily, from Friedrichstadt across Hackescher Markt to the government quarter. Typical arrival sixty to eighty minutes.
Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf is classic West-Berlin premium living with high expat density – the KaDeWe surroundings, Kurfürstendamm, Halensee. Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg covers the tech and creative community with a focus on Bergmannkiez and Ostkreuz. Prenzlauer Berg (Pankow) is a family hotspot with a high proportion of international parents.
Tempelhof-Schöneberg, particularly northern Schöneberg around Viktoria-Luise-Platz, is a classic LGBTQ+ expat neighbourhood. Steglitz-Zehlendorf, including Dahlem, hosts many diplomats and academics. We come to all twelve Berlin districts.