The use of medical and assistant technology to overcome personal disabilities can ease private life in the community as well as the occupational reintegration of a patient. Of utmost importance in such cases, however, is not only the awareness of which aids are potentially available, knowledge which lies within the professional competence of orthopaedic technicians, but also a good knowledge of the legal structure of the social systems. Although the rights of the disabled are defined by the German social laws SGB IX, the financial aspects of reimbursement in each individual case are dependant on the regulations of the specific branch of the social security system. Case assessment by the medical advisors of the health insurance companies in Germany (MDK) must by law take into account the medical indication for treatment according to § 33 SGB V and the cost effectiveness according to § 12 SGB V. The medical expert is responsible only for the medical assessment, but he must word his findings in such a way that the social administration of the health insurance company can make decisions about the financial side. During this process it is possible that other branches of the social security system may be identified as responsible for reimbursement. Furthermore, medical assessment by the MDK of medical aids provided in the past can become necessary, if there is evidence of wrong or inadequate benefit.
