Doctors and health insurance companies are in a strike

Despite an agreement reached between doctors and health insurance companies about an increase in fees, many doctors' offices across Germany plan to close as part of nationwide strikes.

As many as 80,000 doctors are expected to take part in Wednesday's strikes. For Germans hoping to see a doctor, the strikes could mean closed clinics or waiting times that are longer than usual.

On Tuesday evening, progress seemed to be made in negotiations that have gone on for weeks between Germany's public health insurance companies and the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians.