Many people pay for nutritional drinks out of their own pocket, even though their health insurance could cover the costs. The reason is almost always the same: neither the patient nor their relatives know that it is a prescribable product — and the doctor never brings it up. This article explains how the prescription route works.
What exactly is balanced nutritional drink?
A nutritional drink is not a dietary supplement, nor is it an ordinary protein shake. Legally, it is classified as food for special medical purposes (abbreviated as FSMP in English). These products are designed to provide nutrition when normal food is no longer sufficient or no longer possible.
The crucial difference lies in its composition: A fully balanced nutritional drink contains everything the body needs — protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals in a fixed ratio. It can therefore, in principle, serve as the sole source of nutrition. A calorie shake from the supermarket cannot do this.
CaloDrink Vanilla is one such fully balanced nutritional drink: 200 ml per bottle with around 300 kilocalories, or 1.5 kcal per milliliter. This means that a small bottle contains about as much energy as a full meal — in a volume that can still be consumed when appetite is lacking.
When does health insurance pay?
The legal basis is found in § 31 Paragraph 5 SGB V. According to this, enteral nutrition — which includes nutritional drinks — can be prescribed at the expense of statutory health insurance. The details are set out in the German Federal Joint Committee's Medicines Directive in Section I, §§ 18 to 26.
The core message in one sentence: Reimbursement is possible if a sufficient normal diet is not or only partially possible and simpler measures — such as enriching meals or nutritional counseling — are insufficient. Typical situations in which this may be the case:
- Chewing or swallowing difficulties, for example after a stroke or due to ear, nose, and throat conditions
- persistent loss of appetite with unintentional weight loss, often in older age
- increased energy requirements, for example during cancer treatment or after surgery
- gastrointestinal diseases that restrict food intake
Important to know: There is no list
Patients are repeatedly asked by their health insurance for confirmation or a list of reimbursable diagnoses. No such thing exists. The decision is made individually for each patient and is based on the doctor's assessment of the situation. That is precisely why the conversation with the doctor is the crucial step — not the call to the health insurance company.
How much else does it cost?
If a nutritional drink is prescribed on a statutory health insurance prescription, adults aged 18 and over are subject to the standard statutory co-payment as with medicines — regulated in § 61 SGB V: 10 percent of the dispensing price, at least 5 euros and at most 10 euros, but never more than the cost of the product itself. Those who are exempt from co-payments also pay nothing here.
For many, this is the real difference: Instead of paying the full price as a self-payer, the co-payment per pack remains manageable.
How to approach your doctor
Doctors generally prescribe what they know and can assess with confidence. Nutritional drinks are not part of the daily prescribing routine in every practice. It is therefore helpful to prepare for the conversation:
- Describe the situation, not the product. How much weight was lost in what period of time? Which meals can no longer be consumed? Are there problems with chewing or swallowing? This is the information that matters.
- Explicitly ask about a nutritional drink on prescription. A possible way to phrase it: "Would a balanced nutritional drink on a statutory health insurance prescription make sense in my situation?"
- Bring the product information with you. We have summarized the most important information — composition, intended use, and the four prescribable PZNs — on a one-page information sheet for healthcare professionals. This saves the practice the trouble of looking it up.
Information sheet for the doctor's office
One page, ready to print as a PDF — with all the information needed for the prescription.
Download information sheet (PDF)These packs are prescribable
Prescriptions are issued using the PZN, the pharmaceutical central number. It ensures that the pharmacy dispenses exactly the right product. For CaloDrink Vanilla, the ready-to-drink 200-ml bottle, these four numbers apply:
| Pack | PZN | Energy content |
|---|---|---|
| 4 × 200 ml | 20363609 | 1,200 kcal |
| 8 × 200 ml | 20593746 | 2,400 kcal |
| 12 × 200 ml | 20366074 | 3,600 kcal |
| 24 × 200 ml | 20366080 | 7,200 kcal |
Not every product with CaloDrink in the name is prescribable. The following are excluded: CaloDrink+ "for weight gain" and the "Premium Calorie Shake" powder variants. These are marketed as food or dietary supplements and cannot be prescribed at the expense of statutory health insurance. Therefore, make sure that one of the four PZNs listed above is on the prescription.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need prior approval from my health insurance company?
No. The prescription is issued on the standard statutory health insurance prescription, Form 16. No special form or prior approval from the health insurance company is required.
Can I also buy nutritional drinks without a prescription?
Yes. CaloDrink is freely available and can be ordered at any time as a self-payer. The prescription route is particularly worthwhile if the nutritional drink is needed for an extended period and there is a medical indication.
How many bottles are recommended?
As a supplement to a normal diet, one to three bottles per day are typical. If the nutritional drink is to completely replace the diet, it is five to seven bottles, depending on the requirements. The exact amount is determined by the treating doctor.
Is the product suitable for children?
CaloDrink is not suitable for children under four years of age. For children and adolescents, its use should in principle be medically supervised.
Where can I get the product with a prescription?
At any pharmacy. Using the PZN, the pharmacy can order the product from a pharmaceutical wholesaler if it is not in stock.
Detailed information for doctors and pharmacy teams can be found on our prescription information page. You can find the product itself in our Shop.
- § 31 Paragraphs 3 and 5 of the German Social Code, Book Five (SGB V) – Medicines and medical supplies: Entitlement to balanced diets for enteral nutrition; co-payment for insured persons aged 18 and over. Accessed on 18.10.2026. gesetze-im-internet.de
- German Federal Joint Committee (G-BA): Medicines Directive (AM-RL), Section I Enteral Nutrition, §§ 18–26, in particular § 21 Paragraph 1. Last amended on 16.07.2026, in force since 03.10.2026 (BAnz AT 02.10.2026 B1). Accessed on 18.10.2026. g-ba.de
- § 61 Sentence 1 SGB V – Co-payments: 10 percent of the dispensing price, at least 5 euros, at most 10 euros. Accessed on 18.10.2026. gesetze-im-internet.de
The laws, guidelines, specialist publications, and databases mentioned above relate to nutrition and healthcare in general, not to CaloDrink or other CaloShop products themselves. Product information for CaloShop products is excluded; it is taken from their labels and nutritional information.
CaloDrink Vanilla is food for special medical purposes (fully balanced diet) for the dietary management of disease-related malnutrition. Use only under medical supervision. Not for parenteral use. This article is intended for general information purposes and does not replace medical advice or a diagnosis. Whether a prescription at the expense of statutory health insurance is possible in an individual case is determined by the treating doctor. As of August 2026.
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