Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Questions about visiting & appointments

• What should I bring to my first appointment?

  Please arrive at the practice at least 15 minutes before your first appointment so that you can complete the necessary paperwork (opening of your medical file, treatment agreement) at your leisure.

  If available, please bring any relevant documents with you:

  • Previous medical reports and laboratory results
  • Radiology reports and, if applicable, images on CD
  • Medication schedules

• How do I prepare for a health check-up?

  If you are coming to see us for a urological screening or check-up, please note the following important points:

  • Please come with a (comfortably) full bladder and do not go to the toilet immediately before your appointment. This ensures both better visibility during the ultrasound scan and makes it easier to provide a urine sample later on.
  • Digital rectal examinations (DRE)/transrectal examinations are no longer carried out as a matter of course, but rather only when specific issues need to be investigated. You do not need to make any special preparations for this.
  • We will take a blood sample (PSA/fPSA, other tests). If you would like a metabolic analysis, please come on an empty stomach (no food or drink for 6 hours, and no smoking). However, this is not necessary for the PSA test alone.
  • Please bring any records of your most recent results (PSA) with you to the appointment, if available.

• Do I need to be fasting for the examination?

  If we have scheduled a metabolic analysis or general laboratory tests (cholesterol/triglycerides, blood sugar, liver and kidney function tests) for you, or if you wish to have these tests, please come on an empty stomach. This means:

  • No food for 6 hours
  • No smoking
  • No alcohol the night before

  Otherwise, it is not necessary to come on an empty stomach.

• How soon can I get an appointment?

  You can generally book appointments at very short notice. The best way to do this is online (see links above) or by telephone.

  As this is a private practice, we can usually arrange an appointment for you at short notice. However, we operate strictly by appointment only.

  If you are unable to attend your appointment, please cancel in good time so that the slot can be made available to other patients.

Questions about costs and billing

• Can I visit your practice if I have statutory health insurance?

  Yes, absolutely. As a private practice without a statutory health insurance license, we primarily treat privately insured patients and those entitled to civil servant allowance (Beihilfe), but we warmly welcome you as a self-paying patient.

  Many statutorily insured patients appreciate our prompt appointment scheduling, comprehensive consultations without time pressure, and modern technical equipment.

  What you should know as a self-paying patient:

  • Billing according to GOÄ: Billing is transparent and based on the official German Medical Fee Schedule (GOÄ). You will receive a private invoice after your treatment.

  • Payment: You can conveniently pay the invoice on-site via card/contactless payment. Please note: We unfortunately do not accept cash payments.

  • No reimbursement by statutory health insurance (GKV): Please note that statutory health insurers generally do not cover or reimburse the costs for treatment in a private practice.

  • Medication and laboratory: Prescriptions are issued as private prescriptions. The costs for medications and external laboratory tests must also be borne by you.

  • Transparency: We will, of course, inform you in advance about the expected costs so you can plan accordingly. If you have any questions about specific services beforehand, please feel free to contact us.

  
  Tip: If you have supplementary private health insurance for outpatient care (Zusatzversicherung), the costs are often partially or fully covered, depending on your contract. Please check your insurance documents in advance.

• Are the costs covered by private health insurance?

  Generally, yes. As a licensed physician, I bill based on the applicable German Medical Fee Schedule (GOÄ). Since the services are medically justified, they are usually covered by private health insurance companies (PKV) and civil servant allowance offices (Beihilfe) within the standard framework.

  However, there are two important aspects to consider:

  • Individual tariff benefits: The level of reimbursement always depends on your specific contract with your insurer (e.g., agreed deductibles or restrictions on therapeutic remedies and aids). When in doubt, please check your contract documents.

  • Special treatments: For modern therapeutic procedures, such as shock wave therapy (fESWT) for erectile dysfunction, penile curvature, or chronic pelvic pain syndrome, we will gladly provide you with a detailed cost estimate in advance. You can submit this to your insurance company to clarify cost coverage beforehand.

  • Our service: We are happy to support you with medical justifications in case of inquiries from your insurer, but we cannot guarantee full reimbursement by your private insurance provider.

• Do civil servant allowance (Beihilfe) reimburse treatment costs at your practice?

  Yes. Our billing is strictly in accordance with the GOÄ. Those eligible for reimbursement will have their costs reimbursed in accordance with the applicable reimbursement regulations. Where surcharge rates exceed the standard rate (e.g. due to the time required), we will clearly explain the reasons for this on the invoice.

Medical questions (treatment & diagnosis)

• How is a cystoscopy performed and is it painful?

  In our practice, a cystoscopy is performed using state-of-the-art, flexible, single-use HD endoscopes (Ambu® aScope™). These instruments are particularly thin and provide excellent image quality, which significantly reduces the examination time and is exceptionally hygienic.

  To make the examination as comfortable as possible, we use an anesthetic lubricating gel to locally numb the urethra. Nevertheless, the procedure can be perceived as slightly uncomfortable, especially for men.

  Important for your visit: We generally never perform a cystoscopy during your initial consultation. Prior to the procedure, the medical necessity (indication) must be established, and a urinary tract infection must be ruled out via a urine test. For the scheduled procedure, we kindly ask you to arrive a little earlier so that we have ample time for your preparation.

• How long does it take to get the results of an STI (sexually transmitted infection) test?

  Thanks to our modern multiplex PCR diagnostics in a specialized laboratory, you will typically receive your results within just 2 to 3 hours.

  The results are communicated quickly and, upon request, purely digitally. We also offer the option of completely anonymous testing. If a pathogen is detected, we will immediately discuss a personalized treatment plan with you.

• I would like to have my testosterone levels checked. What do I need to keep in mind?

  Testosterone levels are subject to natural daily fluctuations (the so-called circadian rhythm) and peak in the morning. Therefore, to obtain meaningful and reliable results, blood must be drawn in the morning before 11:00 AM on an empty stomach (fasting).

  If you already have older laboratory results, please bring them with you to your appointment.

• How does shock wave therapy (fESWT) work?

  Focused shock wave therapy is a gentle procedure that most patients find to be low in pain or completely painless.

  The treatment is highly individualized to your needs: First, we use ultrasound to determine the exact depth of the structures to be treated so that the sound waves can be applied with pinpoint accuracy. The actual application takes about 15 to 20 minutes within a 30-minute appointment slot.

  Since the scheduling for our devices is strictly planned, we kindly ask you to arrive exactly on time for your session.

• Do I need to have a full bladder for an ultrasound examination?

  For an ultrasound examination of the kidneys and the bladder, it is very helpful if your bladder is well-filled.

  We therefore ask you to drink a sufficient amount of water about an hour before your appointment and, if possible, avoid emptying your bladder right before entering the practice.

  Furthermore, we often require a urine sample—ideally, you can provide this directly at our practice.

• At what age is prostate cancer screening recommended?

  General guidelines recommend annual screening for men starting at age 45. However, if there is a history of prostate cancer in your family (e.g., your father or brother), early screening starting at age 40 is highly advisable from a medical perspective.

  In our practice, we always recommend combining the physical examination with a PSA blood test to ensure the highest level of diagnostic certainty.