Comparison · Hospital private clinic vs. house-call
rab vs hospital private clinic
rab vs hospital private clinic is a care-pathway comparison that shows when RAB Arztbesuche's private medical home visit in Berlin is the faster alternative — with a licensed physician daily from 6 am to midnight.
A hospital private outpatient clinic is the right address when specialist consultation, in-house diagnostics and a named consultant matter most. The rab house-call is the right address for acute symptoms to be assessed at home or in a hotel — no travel, no waiting room.
Medically reviewed by Susanne Reiche · Last reviewed
Acute care vs. planned specialist consultation
A hospital private outpatient clinic is designed for planned, scheduled specialist sessions: cardiology, gastroenterology, oncology, endocrinology, pulmonology. It offers depth — consultant-led clinic, state-of-the-art in-house diagnostics, multidisciplinary consults. That requires appointments, lead time and the patient travelling to the hospital.
The rab house-call is designed for the opposite scenario: acute, broadly general-medicine and internal-medicine problems solvable in a home or hotel setting. We are not a specialist outpatient department, but we are quickly on site, examine thoroughly, and reliably decide what is treatable on the spot and what needs a planned specialist work-up.
Two levels that work together
In practice we often act as a bridge: cover the acute phase on a weekend or holiday, then hand over to the right private outpatient clinic the next working day. We actively help establish the right hospital contact, forward our house-call report and align which prior findings will be valuable.
Emergency? Dial the emergency number
If unconscious, with severe chest pain, breathlessness or heavy bleeding, dial 112 immediately. Our service complements the emergency services — it does not replace them.
Comparison
| Aspect | rab Berlin | Private outpatient clinic at a hospital |
|---|---|---|
| Location | At the patient's home or hotel | Hospital clinic |
| Appointment | Within hours, acute | Usually days to weeks ahead |
| Diagnostics | Exam, ECG, rapid tests on site | Full imaging and lab in-house |
| Specialisation | General medicine / internal — broad | Highly specialised department |
| Billing | GOÄ, around €150–350 | Private outpatient fees, varies by department |
| Language | German, English, more languages | Varies, often German |
| Suitable cases | Acute infections, abdomen, airways, pain | Planned specialist work-up, surgical consult |
When rab is the better choice
- You need a timely assessment — not one in two weeks
- It's an acute complaint, not planned specialist work-up
- You can't or don't want to leave home
- You want prescription, sick note and report in one visit
- Discretion at home or in a hotel matters
When the private outpatient clinic is right
- A specific question requires a named consultant or senior specialist
- Full imaging (MRI, CT, endoscopy) is part of the work-up
- Planned procedure or surgical preparation
- Second opinion on a complex diagnosis
- Multidisciplinary tumour board or cross-specialty conference
Frequently asked questions
Can you refer to a private outpatient clinic?
Yes. We know the Berlin hospital private clinics — from Charité through Vivantes to private hospitals — and actively support referral aligned with the clinical question.
What does a hospital private consultation cost?
It varies strongly by department. A standard consultation is often €200–600, specialised investigations above that. The hospital's own price list and your private insurer's coverage are best clarified directly.
Is the private outpatient clinic faster than statutory routes?
Usually yes, with appointments within days to weeks depending on the clinic. It is not, however, an address for symptoms within the next hour — that is the domain of rab or, in an emergency, the ER.
Can I use the house-call for chronic complaints?
Yes for acute deterioration of a chronic condition. Long-term management, therapy adjustment and follow-up belong with the specialist private outpatient clinic or your specialist.