GOÄ no. 4531: Bacterial culture at special temperature, per medium

By Dr. Pascal Bafteh, board-certified dermatologist and internist · Updated 10/2026

Section M – Laboratory tests · Category: Mycology & pathogen detection

Official German wording: „Untersuchung zum Nachweis von Bakterien durch Anzüchtung oder Weiterzüchtung bei besonderer Temperatur, je Nährmedium“

100 points · €5.83 (1.0×) · €6.70 (1.15×, threshold) · €7.58 (1.3×, maximum)

Fees

Factor	Amount
1.0×	€5.83	single rate
1.15×	€6.70	threshold – above it a written justification (§ 12(3))
1.3×	€7.58	maximum

Laboratory service (section M): range 1.0 to 1.3, threshold 1.15 (§ 5(4) GOÄ). A factor above the threshold is only allowed for particular circumstances of the individual case (difficulty, time, circumstances) and must be justified in writing.

Official provisions (German)

„Eine mehr als dreimalige Berechnung der Leistung nach Nummer 4531 bei Untersuchungen aus demselben Untersuchungsmaterial ist nicht zulässig.“

Typical occasions in dermatology

Culturing bacteria at a special temperature. Applies to bacteria, not to fungal cultures.

More items in this category

4710 – Fungal microscopy, unstained native material 4711 – Fungal microscopy after preparation or staining 4715 – Fungal culture on simple medium 4716 – Fungal culture on enriched medium 4717 – Fungal culture on differentiation media 4722 – Identification of cultured fungi 4780 – Nucleic acid isolation 4783 – PCR (nucleic acid amplification)

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Source: German fee schedule for physicians (GOÄ), schedule of fees – gesetze-im-internet.de.

Applies to private medical services under the GOÄ; not to statutory health insurance (EBM). New GOÄ: the German Medical Association considers entry into force on 1 January 2028 realistic. Official wording and points: gesetze-im-internet.de; amounts = points × €0.0582873 × factor (§ 5(1) GOÄ). Data checked: 09/10/2026.