Germany has a reputation for having one of the best healthcare systems in the world, providing its residents with comprehensive health insurance coverage. Approximately 85% of the population is mandatory or voluntary members of the public health scheme while the rest have private health insurance. The health insurance reform of 2007 now requires everyone living in Germany to be insured for at least hospital and out-patient medical treatment. This must also include coverage for pregnancy and certain medical check-ups.
The Three options for health insurance are:
1. The government regulated publish health insurance system (GKV): Most German residents (approx. 70 million people) are members of the government health system. If your gross salary is less than 59,400 Euros per year, or 4,950 Euros per month in 2018 then membership in the GKV is mandatory. The government health insurance scheme is administered by approximately 113 Krankenkassen and they charge the same basic rate of 14.6 % plus a possible median supplemental rate of 1% of your eligible gross salary to a maximum monthly income of 4,425 Euros (2018 figures). If you earn more than this, you do not pay a higher insurance premium.
2. Private health insurance from a German provider: Generally, private health plans cover a wider choice of medical and dental treatment and provide broad geographical coverage. By having private health insurance you are considered a private patient and can expect more service from the medical profession. The hospitals and doctors depend to a certain extent on private patients to supplement their incomes and therefore welcome them. A private patient can also request and will often get, doctors who speak their native language. The private medical insurance market is served by about 40 German insurance companies, and there are premium/benefit combinations available to suit most budgets. Per person cost of full medical insurance is based on the level of benefits chosen, as well as on entry age and any pre-existing medical conditions. A major portion of your medical insurance premiums has also been tax deductible from German income taxes since 2010.
3. Private health insurance from an international insurance company: If you are self-employed and were already covered by an international insurer before the cut-off date of April 1, 2007, you should check to make sure your coverage is suitable for living in Germany. You will probably need to prove that your insurance is still in force and provide some certification in the German language to the visa authorities. If you would like to keep the non-German insurance, please note that you must in any event still pay into the government long-term nursing care scheme (Pflegepflichtversicherung) and may also wish to purchase supplemental sick pay insurance. This may be difficult to find as German insurers are not particularly keen on insuring self-employed foreigners.
Furthermore, in Germany, it is required that everyone living in Germany is covered by an insurance for at least hospital and out-patient medical treatment, including pregnancy coverage and medical check-ups. Healthcare in general in Germany can be quite expensive due to increase in medical costs and demographic shifts. Below we provide you with the editor’s pick of the top value for money insurances companies in Germany, offering some of the most competitive rates.
Gothaer Group
This is a German insurance company offering all types of health insurance services. Their customers mainly consist of private clients and small to medium-sized business. In 2015, the group reported a Euro 134 million in net profit. For more information, kindly visit: https://www.gothaer.de/
AXA
Apart from the normal health insurance plans, this insurance company offers specific expat insurance plans. These are expatriate-tailored health insurances that focus on the needs of those living and working abroad. For more information, kindly visit: https://www.axapppinternational.com/
Allianz
Allianz is an insurance and asset management company. It offers a wide range of insurance and fund products in more than 70 countries to around 86 million customers. As of 31st December 2016, Allianz managed around 1,361 billion euros in third party-assets. For more information, kindly visit; https://www.allianz.com/en/about_us/who_we_are/at-a-glance/
DKV
DKV is an insurance and medical company that highly focuses on society and people, while also committed to sustainable development. This company offers the regular insurance services, while also offering a comprehensive medical directory, medical helplines, health and wellbeing clubs. The company ranks the high amongst the top insurers in Spain whilst having the support of Munich Re. For more information, kindly visit: www.dkv.com
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