JacquesFR
Member
- Messages
- 7
Hi all,
We are currently located in Germany and I wanted to share some overview on how health insurance works and what is covered or co-paid in the Germany welfare system, based on what I have understood so far.
Public vs private
Germany has a dual private-public health insurance system.
In principle, statutory health insurance (GKV) covers the costs for the treatment of diabetes, including diagnostic measures, medication, aids and remedies, preventive and aftercare, sick pay and much more.
However, there are limitations. The insurance company only pays for blood sugar test strips for people with type 2 diabetes under certain conditions. Some health insurance companies only hesitantly approve an insulin pump. A public insurance company cannot refuse to take you on.
For privately insured persons, what is written in the insurance contract applies, i.e. whether a corresponding obligation to provide benefits has been agreed, after a thorough examination. Be aware that it can significantly increase premiums and some companies might refuse to take you on.
We are currently on public and feel it's a lot simpler for now.
More general info on the German healthcare system here.
Copayments:
On public insurance
People from the age of 18 on German statutory health insurance must pay a co-payment for all medications and aids that the medical specialist prescribes. It is 10% of the price, but at least 5 euros and a maximum of 10 euros. If less than 5 euros, the insured person must pay the full cost. Children and young people up to the age of 18 are exempt from co-payments. A limit of 2% of your gross income of all people living in the household per calendar year was also set, as a way to limit financial burden.
The following applies:
On private insurance
Again here, it all depends what's stated in the contract during sign-up. It might be helpful to consult with an organisation or a broker first.
Local organizations:
Some of them can assist you in English as well
I hope this helps for people looking to relocate to Germany. Health insurance here is sometimes not that simple.
We are currently located in Germany and I wanted to share some overview on how health insurance works and what is covered or co-paid in the Germany welfare system, based on what I have understood so far.
Public vs private
Germany has a dual private-public health insurance system.
In principle, statutory health insurance (GKV) covers the costs for the treatment of diabetes, including diagnostic measures, medication, aids and remedies, preventive and aftercare, sick pay and much more.
However, there are limitations. The insurance company only pays for blood sugar test strips for people with type 2 diabetes under certain conditions. Some health insurance companies only hesitantly approve an insulin pump. A public insurance company cannot refuse to take you on.
For privately insured persons, what is written in the insurance contract applies, i.e. whether a corresponding obligation to provide benefits has been agreed, after a thorough examination. Be aware that it can significantly increase premiums and some companies might refuse to take you on.
We are currently on public and feel it's a lot simpler for now.
More general info on the German healthcare system here.
Copayments:
On public insurance
People from the age of 18 on German statutory health insurance must pay a co-payment for all medications and aids that the medical specialist prescribes. It is 10% of the price, but at least 5 euros and a maximum of 10 euros. If less than 5 euros, the insured person must pay the full cost. Children and young people up to the age of 18 are exempt from co-payments. A limit of 2% of your gross income of all people living in the household per calendar year was also set, as a way to limit financial burden.
The following applies:
- For medication (such as insulin), bandages, etc, the co-payment is between 5 and 10 euros.
- For aids such as blood glucose meters, insulin pumps or insulin pens, 10 percent of the costs are due - at least 5 euros and a maximum of 10 euros.
- The following applies to aids such as needles for insulin pens or cannulas: 10 percent of the costs per pack and a maximum of 10 euros for the entire monthly requirement.
- Under certain conditions, the health insurance pays for medical foot care as a remedy. Then 10 percent of the costs (at least 5 euros, at most 10 euros) and 10 euros per prescription have to be paid.
- For hospital treatment as well as outpatient and inpatient preventive and rehabilitation measures, 10 euros per day are charged.
On private insurance
Again here, it all depends what's stated in the contract during sign-up. It might be helpful to consult with an organisation or a broker first.
Local organizations:
Some of them can assist you in English as well
I hope this helps for people looking to relocate to Germany. Health insurance here is sometimes not that simple.
