For planned treatment from abroad, the most efficient first contact is usually a concise case submission through the hospital's official international-patient route. The goal of the first request is to give the responsible medical team enough information to decide whether it can offer a consultation, second opinion, diagnostics or treatment.
1. Use the official international-patient channel
Avoid sending sensitive records to addresses copied from old directories or intermediary websites. Start on the hospital's current official International Patient Office page and follow its submission instructions.
2. State exactly what you are asking for
A clear request helps route the case to the correct department.
- Treatment evaluation
- Second opinion
- Surgical review
- Diagnostic work-up
- Specific procedure assessment
- Follow-up after previous treatment
3. Send a structured medical package
Universitätsklinikum Erlangen states that treatment recommendations and cost estimates require a recent medical report plus relevant imaging, laboratory results and, for oncology, histology and prior treatment protocols. It asks for German or English medical documents that are current and informative.
- Latest medical summary
- Diagnosis and current clinical status
- Imaging and reports
- Laboratory results
- Pathology for oncology where relevant
- Previous operation or treatment reports
- Chronological treatment history
4. Wait for clinical review before planning travel
UKE describes a process in which its International Office receives the records, forwards them to the responsible department for a treatment proposal and only then prepares a cost estimate. This is a useful model: medical feasibility should come before flights and hotel bookings.
5. Review the proposal, estimate and conditions
If the hospital can offer care, clarify the expected treatment, additional testing, duration, prepayment, visa documentation and what would cause the estimate to change before you make non-refundable travel arrangements.
Official sources
Last source-reviewed 2026-08-29. Administrative, insurance, reimbursement and visa rules can change. Follow the current instructions of the responsible hospital, insurer or public authority before acting.