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© 2016 Dwellworks
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Discovering Germany
Public Health Insurance
Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung
(GKV)
Private Health Insurance
Private Krankenversicherung (PKV)
Coverage
provided:
Hospital stays, dental care, routine
doctor visits, x-rays, recommended
immunizations, in some cases: natural
medicine. In case you feel that the
GKV coverage is not sufficient for you,
private supplements are available as
well.
In general preferential treatment in
hospitals (free choice of hospital,
single room, treatment by the chief
physician instead of an intern),
possibly other extras (such as
natural medicine, acupuncture),
depending on the range of services
you wish.
Choosing a
doctor or
dentist:
You may call a general practitioner or
dentist of your choice, ensuring,
however, that state health insurance
patients are accepted. Some will
require you to make an appointment,
with others you can turn up during the
opening hours.
You may call any doctor or dentist
you wish. Some will require you to
make an appointment, with others
allow walk-ins during opening hours.
Paying for
doctor’s and
dentist´s visit:
The public health insurance covers
certain services. Others are so-called
IGEL services. You are responsible to
pay them, as they are not covered by
public health insurance. The doctor /
dentist has to inform you about any
extra costs before the treatment.
When you register at the doctor’s or
dentist’s reception, you might be
required to show your health card
which will be scanned and returned
to you. After treatment you will
receive an invoice by post to be
reimbursed onto your bank by the
health insurance company and then
to be transferred to the doctor or
dentist.
Providers
(examples, not
recommenda-
tions):
TK, AOK, DAK, BEK, BKK – There are
more than 140! The services provided
by GKV are determined by the
government. Therefore, they are quite
similar to every Krankenversicherung.
Yet it is advisable to check just before
you apply.
Allianz, Axa, DKV, Gothaer,
Hallesche e.g. – There are more
than 60 providers!
Due to the wide range of tariffs, you
should ask for advice by an
independent expert.
Helpful Hint:
Once you have joined a private health insurance, you cannot change
to public health insurance. A switch from public to private is possible after two entire
months calculated as from the date of cancellation.