• As of 01.07.2022 the nail brace treatment for ingrown nails is a prescribable medical treatment under the Medical Devices Directive. This allows podiatrists to perform the therapy on medical prescription and bill health insurance companies.
• As of 01.10.2025 the regulations were further clarified:
- The Medical Devices Directive and the nationwide contract for podiatric services now clearly define the indication stages (1–3) and the respective documentation requirements.
- For stages 2 and 3, podiatrists must provide photo documentation to be created (before treatment begins, if it worsens, and after treatment concludes). This measure serves quality assurance and is a prerequisite for billing with statutory health insurance funds.
- In addition, the precise description of the nail brace used as well as the location of the treated nail must be documented.
- A change of model (e.g., from a plastic to a metal brace) may be carried out independently.
Thus, the legal basis for nail brace treatment has been even more clearly regulated since October 2025 – both for podiatrists and for health insurance funds.
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