When it comes to healthcare and services, Germany’s healthcare system is one of the best in the world. To ensure that all citizens have access to good health care and adequate healthcare facilities, Germany created the health insurance system. It is required by law to have at least one health insurance.
The health insurance scheme is mandatory for all citizens, and residents including students, researchers, scientists, and tourists.
Before we look at the Health Insurance Companies in Germany, let’s take a look at the two types of health insurance for people living in Germany:
- Government/ public health insurance system(Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung)
- Private health insurance system (Private Krankenversicherung).
Before we continue, let’s briefly explain what each insurance system means:
1. Public health insurance (Public Krankenversicherung)
The public health insurance scheme is the largest pillar and most common type of insurance in Germany. The public health system insures about 90% of the German populace.
The three largest public health insurance companies are AOK, Barmer GEK, and TK. Individuals that are eligible for public health insurance include:
- People who earn less than €66,000 yearly or €5500 monthly
- Civil servants
- People who are self-employed or freelancers
- People receiving benefits or allowances e.g. (unemployment benefits)
- Students (they can register at a discounted price).
- Scientists and researchers Tourists.
All public health insurance companies charge a 14.6% basic rate with an average supplemental rate of 1.6% of all your gross income yearly with a maximum income of €4,987 monthly. Public health insurance covers the following:
- Basic dental care (additional fees apply for other dental procedures)
- In-patient care as a ward patient
- Outpatient care from a general doctor or specialist
- Drug prescription and medication
- Pregnancy care
- Statutory sick pay.
But if you earn higher than €66,000 yearly and €4,987 monthly, you don’t have to pay a higher insurance premium. Your basic premium will be split equally between you and your employer. This qualifies you for more services and treatments that are not covered by the public health insurance system.
This includes:
- In vitro fertilization (IVF)
- Contraception
- Osteopathy
- Cancer screening for people under the age of 35
- Flu and travel vaccinations
- Additional dental care.
Note, the minimum period of membership for public health insurance is 12 months. But if you must switch to a private health insurance company, you should give at least two months’ notice after the 12-month membership.
Top Public Health Insurance Companies in Germany:
- Barmer GEK
- AOK
- Techniker Krankenkasse (TK)
Barmer GEK
It is unarguably one of the best public health insurance companies in Germany. It is a good choice for international students (especially if you are English-speaking), employees, families, tourists, scientists, and researchers. Barmer GEK covers the entire family and family members who earn less than €485 monthly.
Barmer GEK provides clients with the best modern healthcare facilities and services. They offer the following services:
- Dental Care
- Basic examinations and checkups
- Free vaccinations on all recommended vaccines
- Comprehensive skin care treatment cancer screening and check for people over 35 years
- Alternative medicine and naturopathic treatment
- Pregnancy care
- Prescription and medication
- Other beneficial services include:
- Access to regular healthcare
- Sick pay benefits when taking your sick leave
- Preventive care
- Choice of hospital and doctor or specialist
- Provides English-speaking doctors for foreigners
- Free medical advice in English.
Note:
Barmer GEK does not cover all prescriptions and medications. They only cover prescriptions in pink and yellow. The yellow and pink prescriptions are only valid for 28 days and 7 days respectively. Other colors such as blue and green are not covered by BamerGEK. Although in statutory co-payments, each yellow or pink prescription is charged between €5 to €10 per prescription.
They cover all mandatory and recommended vaccinations in Germany.
They also reimburse 100% of the total cost of travel vaccines that are not under public health insurance.
AOK
AOK is one of the largest health insurance companies in Germany. This insurance company has several branches in many regions in Germany. AOK is open to immigrants and their families, employees, and freelancers. AOK insures about 25 million people and provides comprehensive care packages and services such as:
- Pregnancy care
- Dental care
- Free family insurance services
- Regular check-ups
Just like other top insurance companies, AOK also offers supplementary charges on certain services, such as drug prescriptions.
Now these charges are not on all prescriptions but on certain drugs and medications. As one of the top public health insurance companies, AOK caters for a greater percentage of the cost of drug prescriptions. You only have to pay a surcharge (contribution) as specified by the law. This charge is your personal contribution fee on all medications and can be between €5 to €10.
Exemptions:
- Children and young people below 18 years.
- Chronically ill patients and people who require drugs daily are exempted from the surcharge. But there is a limit.
AOK is the only public health insurance company that covers your health insurance outside Germany. With AOK you can be rest assured that you are covered as long as you are within countries under the European Union. Other countries that can be accessible are Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
Techniker Krankenkasse (TK)
Techniker Krankenkasse is one of the leading insurance companies in Germany. It is a good choice for employees and students. Techniker Krankenkasse offers the following: ● Dental care
- Pregnancy care
- Access to health care even with pre-existing illness
- Treatments in licensed hospitals
- Alternative medicine and naturopathic treatment
- In-patient and out-patient medical care
- Medical checkup.
Other services include:
- Personal choice of doctor and hospital.
- English-speaking services
- Fitness programs
- Traveling health insurance
- Free family insurance.
Private Health Insurance (Private Krankenversicherung)
Private health insurance is the second pillar of the German health insurance system. It covers over 10% health insurance of the entire population. It is an upgrade from the public health insurance system.
The German government offers the opportunity to opt for private health insurance and to combine it with your public health insurance if you are among this category: ● People who earn over €66,600 yearly or €5,500 monthly
- Students
- Freelancers
- Business owners
- Self-employed workers
Private health insurance offers the same services that public health insurance covers but with additional benefits, such as:
- Dental implants
- Glasses and contact lenses
- Access to a private room
- Access to consultants doctors
- Sickness benefit
- Direct access to specialists and chief physicians
- Alternative medicine and naturopathic treatment
- Access to premium health care even with pre-existing health conditions
- Total coverage of all prescription and medication
- Access to the hospital of choice
Below are some top private health insurance companies in Germany:
Gothaer Group
Goathaer Group is one of the largest private health insurance companies in Germany. They provide that provide the following supplementary health insurance services:
- Psychotherapy
- Dental care for adult
- patients are entitled to treatment by a private doctor.
- Hospital protection for both children and adult
- One-on-one patient-doctor interaction with children’s insurance
- Accident insurance
- Choice of hospital
- Outpatient’s pre- and post-treatments including surgery
- Acceptance of statutory co-payments
- Supplemental dental care for kids
- Animal health insurance.
DKV (Deutsche Krankenversicherung)
Deutsche Krankenversicherung (DKV) is one of the largest private health insurance companies in Germany. They provide the fastest and most efficient healthcare system. Deutsche Krankenversicherung is suitable for families and pensioners. They offer the following services:
Pregnancy care
- Eye care (cataract surgery lenses)
- Orthopedic treatment for kids less than 10 years with partial reimbursement of fees (limits €35 per session)
- Dental Care
- Access to digital health care services Psychotherapy.
- Dietary and nutrition
- Video and chat consultation with any doctor of your choice.
Other services are;
(i) Reimbursement health insurance where 80%-90% of the total expenses spent (starting from €46 per month) will be reimbursed in less than seven days.
(ii) They also cover 50% of drug prescriptions and vaccinations.
(iii) Access to a wide network of healthcare providers
(iv) Video and chat consultation with any doctor of your choice
(v) Access to digital health care services.
For more inquiry call 8761 40054.
Debeka Private Health Insurance
Debeka private health insurance is one of the top leading German health insurance companies that offer services to civil servants, employees, people working in the public sector, and families. The company offers the following services:
- Full health care package
- Pregnancy care
- Eye care
- Dental care
- Psychotherapy
- Prescription and medication
- Flu and vaccination
- Student’s insurance
- Accident insurance
- Private room
- Choice of hospital and doctor
- Supplementary care.
Signal Iduna Private Health Insurance
This is a notable private health insurance company in Germany that offers:
- Supplementary care
- Dental care
- Eye care
- Alternative medicine
- Access to a broad network of healthcare providers
- In-patient and out-patient care
- Reimbursement of more than £2,300 monthly.
AXA Private Health Insurance
AXA private health insurance is a well-known private health insurance company in Germany that provides the following services:
- Dental Care
- Pregnancy
- Psychotherapy
- Alternative health and naturopathic treatment that are not covered by statutory health insurance companies
- Out-patient and in-patient treatment
- Administration of vaccines
- Pediatrician care
- Accident insurance
- Emergency insurance
- Fast treatment by a chief doctor
- Access to diagnostic and therapeutic tools
- Reimbursement of fees between €400 and €700.
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