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In Germany, bronchial asthma (Asthma bronchiale) is one of the most common chronic diseases among children. For this reason, statutory health insurance funds provide a special structured care program known as:
DMP – Disease Management Program for Asthma bronchiale in Children
This is a comprehensive, long-term care program that aims to improve the quality of life of the affected child and to reduce asthma attacks and their complications.
What is the DMP for childhood asthma?
The DMP is a structured preventive and therapeutic program that includes:
Component – What it covers
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Individual treatment plan
Developing a medication and respiratory therapy plan tailored to the child’s condition. -
Regular medical follow-up
Regular check-ups with a pediatrician or a pediatric pulmonologist. -
Educational courses (Schulung)
Teaching the child and their caregivers about the disease, its symptoms, and how to use inhalers. -
Respiratory training (Atemtherapie)
Breathing techniques that help reduce the severity of symptoms. -
Ongoing assessment of the condition
Monitoring the course of the disease and adjusting medications as needed. -
Avoiding hospital admissions
Thanks to continuous monitoring and early intervention, hospital stays can often be prevented.
Who is eligible to enroll in the DMP?
The program is open to:
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Any child who has been officially diagnosed with Asthma bronchiale
-
Children aged 1 year and older
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Children who are insured under the statutory health insurance scheme (GKV)
How does enrollment work?
The diagnosis is made by:
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a pediatrician (Kinderarzt), or
-
a pediatric pulmonologist (Pneumologe for children).
The doctor fills out the DMP-Anmeldung (DMP registration form) in coordination with the health insurance fund.
Once the child is accepted into the program, they automatically start receiving structured appointments and the associated benefits.
Is the program free of charge?
Yes, completely – all costs are covered by statutory health insurance (GKV), including:
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regular check-ups
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information and education sessions
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respiratory therapy sessions
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essential medications (for example inhalers, cortisone, etc.)
What do the educational courses include?
For children:
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Recognizing symptoms
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Learning how to use an inhaler correctly
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Knowing what to do during an asthma attack
For parents:
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How to deal with the child’s asthma attacks
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How to avoid triggers (dust, smoke, certain sports, etc.)
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The importance of adhering to treatment and keeping follow-up appointments
Many of these courses are held in groups, are designed to be fun for children, and include games and practical training.
Important notes
Question – Answer
-
Does the DMP replace the treating doctor?
No. It does not replace the doctor; instead, it structures and organizes the follow-up in a more precise way. -
Can you leave the program?
Yes, you can leave at any time. However, it is generally recommended to stay enrolled in order to benefit from continuous, structured care. -
Is there an app to monitor the condition?
Some health insurance funds, such as AOK or TK, offer free apps linked to the program to help monitor the condition and appointments.
Summary
Topic – Details
-
Full name
DMP Asthma bronchiale bei Kindern (DMP for bronchial asthma in children) -
What it includes
Follow-up visits, medication, respiratory training, educational courses, and a structured treatment plan. -
Age group
From 1 year of age and older. -
Covered by GKV?
Yes, fully. -
Benefit
Reduces asthma attacks and complications, supports parents, and improves the child’s quality of life.
The editorial and writing team of the website strives to provide accurate information based on thorough research and consultation of multiple sources. However, errors may still occur or some information may be incomplete or not fully verified. Therefore, the information in these articles should be regarded as an initial reference only. For binding, reliable information, please always consult the relevant professional authorities and institutions.
