NORWICH, CT - MARCH 23: Oxycodone pain pills prescribed for a patient with chronic pain lie on display on March 23, 2016 in Norwich, CT. Communities nationwide are struggling with the unprecidented opioid pain pill and heroin addiction epidemic. On March 15, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), announced guidelines for doctors to reduce the amount of opioid painkillers prescribed, in an effort to curb the epidemic. The CDC estimates that most new heroin addicts first became hooked on prescription pain medication before graduating to heroin, which is stronger and cheaper. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

New Laws and Regulations October 2016

NORWICH, CT - MARCH 23:  Oxycodone pain pills prescribed for a patient with chronic pain lie on display on March 23, 2016 in Norwich, CT. Communities nationwide are struggling with the unprecidented opioid pain pill and heroin addiction epidemic. On March 15, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), announced guidelines for doctors to reduce the amount of opioid painkillers prescribed, in an effort to curb the epidemic. The CDC estimates that most new heroin addicts first became hooked on prescription pain medication before graduating to heroin, which is stronger and cheaper.  (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

New month, new laws. Christmas is coming…

Contents

Health Care

Medication Plan

For patients on statutory health insurance and on at least three prescription drugs, you will now be able to have your doctor set up a medication plan for you, explaining the side effects of all the medication you’re currently taking. This is especially important for older patients, who take various medication simultaneously. It is also very important for patients on prescription drugs issued by different doctors, who might not have considered the side effects of the other medication.

At this time, the doctors will only be required to write down the medication plan on paper, but from 2018, doctors will be required to issue a digital plan, which will be attached to the electronic health card.

 

Consumer Laws

Cancel Contracts via Email

From this October you will be able to cancel contracts online via email. This is to protect consumers as most service providers keep demanding for cancellations via snail mail (traditional letters). This will however not apply to some contracts that are defined by law e.g. a work contract.

 

Cancelled TV channels

From October 1st, two TV channels namely: ZDF Kultur and EinsPlus, will shut down due to financial difficulties. The two channels will be replaced by a new one that will only be available online. The new channel will target the younger viewers.

 

ID on the Bahn

The Deutsche Bahn will make life easier for you this month once you book your ticket online. You will no longer be required to present your credit card or the debit card you used to book the ticket online. From this month on you will instead only require your ID.

 

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