Private or Public Health Insurance in Germany [Which One To Choose?]

[@shruthiravindran3034]

I moved to Germany last November and have been trying to understand the difference between private and public insurance since then! This video is very informative and concise, thank you!

[@grmpflz]

Very good information about our German system of health insurance. I have to add some important aspects: Private insurances attract young people with low fees, what is no problem, when you are healthy and a single. When you get older or have a family, the fees are increasing and I know, that all retired people with private insurance pay more than 900 € per month and person, for their risk of being old. While the fees of the public health insurance keep stable, and familiy members (non working spouse or children < 18) can be included. And when you once are in a private insurance, you are not allowed to get back to public health insurance. The only possibility you have is to change into a basic tarif, but you loose all the priviliges you had before. I think the combination of public health insurance and an add-on private insurance is the best way...

[@ramblingmillennial1560]

I wonder why they dont let you switch back that really sucks. I hope that changes in the future

[@grmpflz]

@@ramblingmillennial1560 It"s because the Public health insurances are based on the solidarity of all their members that pay their fees for the community, noone is left behind. Private insurances are based on profit and each member pays only for his own health and risk. So why should it be possible for members of the private insurances to pay low fees, when they are young, and when the risks become expensive to be able to get back to the solidarity of the Public health insurances, they didn't want before, only to save money again? Never ever!

[@nineteenfortyeight]

👍

[@kinjat561]

what is add on private insurance? its only for hospital or applies everywhere?

[@grmpflz]

@@kinjat561 Your basic insurance is one of the public health insurances. For little money you can add private insurances for being first class in hospital (single bedroom) with treatment by de leading doctors or an add on for expensive dental treatment and prothetics or for glasses and so on. But this doesn`t mean better medicine, because the public healt system pays für every treatment that has enough evidence to work. Add ons are more a luxury thing, especially when you get dates at the doctors easyer. At the risk, that you get treatment you don`t need, because the doctor wants to earn money...

[@ichbinsehrklug]

Oh thanks for the very very informative video.

[@thomasbartzick7372]

You are both sooo.... GREAT! :D... And your content is absolutely GROSSARTIG! :D Bleibt gesund! Habt Freude!

[@xphile85pubg30]

immer wieder tolle videos - vielen dank!

[@joseluisrambaut1581]

You are awesome, as always :) Danke!

[@turjo119]

Finally had time to watch this video! I was wondering if I ought to consider private health insurance but given that I won't be a student for too long I think it would be easier for me to just stay on my current insurance plan

[@simplegermany]

Yeah, once you start employment you can reevaluate again 😊

[@DK-nx9ss]

It's important to note here the private practices are only private because the government has strict laws about how many clinics of a certain specialisation can be in a certain area... Basically forced scarcity so they have full control on how much money is spent on health... That is why Stuttgart a rich city in Germany has public covering specialists on the level of 100 times less than a average city in Greece where I come from.

[@Yosh001]

Great Vido! I'm glad you mentioned the "Zusatzversicherung" (additional private insurance) because this really leaves everyone up to each preferences. IMHO this privately paid "add-on", combined with the even volontary public insurance, gives your a) the most flexibility and b) the less financial stress. I am voluntary in the public insurance and thus don't have to care about any bills or re-imbursements. But I have picked with the private partner of my public insurance an "add-on" for dental matters and one for elderly care. I did not choose the add-on for having a single room when in hospital or seeing the chief doctor of the department because the "lower ranks" of doctors mostly have more experience due to their every day business and they will refer you to the "chief" anyways when they are uncertain.

[@simplegermany]

Thanks for sharing!

[@DavidReinhardInVertas]

You might want to consider switching to a private health insurance ( If you have the possibility: healthy + minimum 70k salary ), as it oftentimes is way less expensive then the public one (1000€ in the public, half you, half your employer, when yo are between 30 and 40 better coverage in the private one cost between 400€ to 700€). The coverage in the public insurance just keeps getting worse and worse and keeps getting more expensive. We recently made a video about this, also with the possibility to speak to an expert that compares all the private health insurances in Germany and helps you make the right choice, feel free to check it out.

[@fannychristozova8158]

Awesome video, indeed! Funny enough, our Public health insurance resembles a little to the Private one in Germany. Each family member has to have and pay for their own public h.i. regardless of age or status - but that is if they want to. As a result a majority (if not all) of unemployed people go without health insurance often for years, and it creates an ever widening gap, and if something happens they need to pay a stable sum for a simple checkup. Basically all hell breaks loose... in a loop. Also no preventative checkups unless you think about it and organize them yourself. The table and your insights make it really easy to find your way around and start thinking in practice, not just see the information! I will definitely go with the Public as a start. I saw in your guide that transitioning from private back to public is in general harder, so. I don't have the details yet from my company, but chances are I will get that on site. Oh, and I don't expect my income to hit past 66K in the first 6 or 12 months. Easy. 🙂 I was talked by friends and colleagues out of making my move in the middle of July, better and final consideration, also moneywise, is moving in mid September. No matter how I envy you almost with tears on the cool temperatures I see right now in the forecast for DUS. Is it really 20 deg.? 😢Next summer I'm not moving from there!

[@simplegermany]

Jep! We have some fresher days currently with some rain here and there 😊 alright - September it is then! 🎉

[@SurjeetSingh-qi6gf]

Very well done 👏👏

[@el_zdo]

Amazing gals! Thanks a lot!!

[@GMTron]

One different experience on my side: coming from an EU country to Germany, the employer offered me the option for public health insurance from the start(TK). I guess it depends on the employer if we get public or private.

[@simplegermany]

You can still choose! Some employers are proactive in getting you insured to be able to create your paycheck 😉

[@karinwenzel6361]

As it was mentioned you can only choose private insurance if your income is above 66000 EUR. If you earn less, you can only choose one of the many public insurances of which TK is one. Doesn't have anything to do with your employer. (The only exception are officials - "Beamte" - who can opt out of the public health insurance system and go private, since the state will cover up to 50% of your medical bills.)

[@MrCiapek87]

Girls thanks for another video that I needed

[@SongsofMizpah]

Awesome video, very helpful😊

[@MigueldaSilva-y4f]

Thank you so much for this...

[@ramblingmillennial1560]

I think you've just been lucky jen. I'm not sure if it's just my BFs city (duisburg) or if it's just the specific specialists but my bf has to wait 3 to 6 sometimes 9 months to see a doctor. He was on a waiting list for a therapist for 2 years. I'm not joking.

[@jimbryce2498]

Oh dear, there seems to be a disconnect between German law and public health insurance being able to reject an applicant and then throw them into the arena of private health insurance that can decide what to insure and what not to based on pre-existing conditions. 😢

[@arishojaei]

Would you create a video about integration courses that includes B1 German language and orientation course?

[@jakezyx]

Important to note that Germans (and indeed residents of all EU countries) can also access free healthcare in the UK still too, by showing their EHIC card. The UK and EU continue to offer each others' citizens reciprocal healthcare rights in the post-Brexit world :)

[@naveenchandra3352]

You Guys are just amazing 😊The kind of information you provide is crisp and clear!! My name is Naveen and i will be moving to Germany (Wendlingen) for employment along with family in October 1st week. Can you please let me know why exactly they might reject public health insurance if our salary is more than 66k annual gross salary? Because, am more interested in public health insurance for me and my family. Your inputs will be highly appreciated 😊

[@simplegermany]

That’s what our experience and research shows. But it’s not impossible. Especially if you have help from the resources that we mention.

[@naveenchandra3352]

@@simplegermany : Thanks a lot for quick response. It is highly appreciated. Excited to be in Germany for employment along with my wife and kid. For sure i have seen your video German School System 🙂

[@vollcare4076]

@@simplegermanythat’s wrong! You can always choose the public health insurance

[@DavidReinhardInVertas]

They might reject you when you have preexisting medical conditions. If you are healthy and make more then 70k getting a private insurance is no problem. We recently made a video about how private health insurance works with a family, also with the possibility to speak to an expert that compares all the private health insurances in Germany and helps you make the right choice, feel free to check it out.

[@santiagoreyesrodriguez9211]

Hi! really nice content. Just got a couple questions and appreciate if someone could help me...Currently I am student and along my whole stay in Germany I have been ensured with TK (the public one), but soon I'll finish my degree and also have to change my residence permit to "job seeker". TK while I get a job is almost double the price. Would it be a good recommendation to switch to private insurance? and if so, which private insurance company is valid for the authorities at the time of the appointment to extend the residence permit?. Thank you very much!

[@simplegermany]

You can consult our partner Feather as linked in the description.

[@shirya07]

Can you also make a video on how to get a Hausarzt in Germany ?

[@simplegermany]

We discuss it in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaSkXpSDqcaad5I 😊

[@DB88888]

What happens if you don't have a job? One of the sour points of health insurance in the US is that it is tied to your job. My understanding was that Germany had universal care which is offered to you regardless of your work status. But it seems that you can access the public health insurance only if you work and they can even deny you coverage if you earn too much... I would not call that a universal healthcare system...

[@simplegermany]

Well that depends on what meaning you give to a word. In Germany you MUST have health insurance, it is not a choice. Depending on your circumstance you either have public or private health insurance.

[@DB88888]

@simplegermany yes, I understood that from your video. But what happens for example if you are poor and can't afford to pay the 200EUR per month for the public health insurance? Besides, given that even the public Healthcare is an insurance system that is not guaranteed to all citizens, you can theoretically be denied insurance by both the public and the private insurances: what happens in that case? Is there a law thar forces the public insurance to cover you no matter what? In other EU countries the pubblic option is 100% guaranteed to all residents regardless of their income or job status because it's considered as a right. The fact that as a resident you MUST have insurance doesn't necessarily make it into a right if the insurances can deny you coverage, unless there is some law thar forces the public insurance to cover you no matter what and even if you can't afford to pay the monthly premium. Also, as a side note, 200EUR per month for the premium is a really large healthcare cost even compared to the ridiculously high US standards...

[@AmmarZebKhan]

Any idea how expensive braces can be in Germany and if they are covered under any insurances?

[@simplegermany]

It highly depends on the type of braces and your individual case. There are specific insurances to cover braces for adults, as regular health insurance does not cover it. You can search for Kieferorthopädie Erwachsene Versicherung - however, they only cover if you didn't plan a treatment yet before you buy the insurance.

[@danny.k1620]

I'm going to apply for student visa. It requires health insurance. Not sure which one. And the websites always recommend private..

[@simplegermany]

We know plenty of students who have public health insurance. You can often get it together with your blocked account: www.simplegermany.com/best-blocked-account-germany/

[@biloaffe]

What do you mean by statutory health insurance, not a private specialist (doctor)?

[@aishaashraf3200]

Can you change it in between?

[@simplegermany]

If you fulfill the criteria you can change from public to private. The other way round is possible but a lot more complicated.

[@huntress_9441]

One of the other Australians slipped and hit his head on some concrete stairs while I was on exchange. All the Germans were freaking out and I was like "let's just call an ambulance?" But none of them wanted to cos apparently it's a bit more complicated? We just call 000 and tell them what part of the country we're in. We were also drinking spirits age 16-17 so maybe they were scared of the police 🤷‍♀️

[@simplegermany]

Hehe maybe the drinking and she had something to do with it. Here you call 112 and explain the situation and they send an ambulance if necessary without any issue ☺️

[@twinkleyousuf4580]

hey i want to know how can i switch from private health insurance to public?

[@simplegermany]

We talk about it here in our guide: www.simplegermany.com/private-vs-public-health-insurance-germany/#How_to_change_health_insurance_from_private_to_public_in_Germany

[@rudolphrodriguez3289]

does this Insurance cover dependents such as aging parents

[@simplegermany]

Unfortunately not, only a spouse and children below 18 years old

[@catinko]

How long should we pay insurance in Germany? After retirement do we still need to pay for it?

[@simplegermany]

Yes, as long as you live 😉

[@bgondar]

I moved to Germany with a Spanish passport last October. I registered as a Spanish living in Cologne by the end of February (the registration took some time). I got a job in March in a company from the USA, so I had to "open a company" here, so I could issue receipts, here in Germany I am a freelancer (selbstandig). DAK rejected me, I have been trying to get in the krankenkasse since march! I am SO frustrated, besides the frustration, if something happens to me, I have no idea what to do. Now Barmer is checking my case, I dont understand, I have the money to pay for it (ITS A LOT EVEN BEING PUBLIC). Anyways, I just wanted to vent, if anyone had this experience, can you please share the outcome?

[@simplegermany]

I'm so sorry to read that it has been so tough to find a private health insurance provider to accept you. In case you're interested, we have listed on our website a list of independent insurance brokers who might be able to guide you in this process: www.simplegermany.com/private-vs-public-health-insurance-germany/#Independent_health_insurance_brokers_for_Internationals_in_Germany

[@bgondar]

@@simplegermany Thanks, I actually want to enter the public one, its very expensive because I am a freelancer, we pay more taxes (I am not sure why haha), but I think a private one would be teuerer. I will check though because I cant stand this situation any longer, thank you girls!

[@andymo4671]

​​​​@@bgondarorry to correct you! You won t pay less or more taxes than a employed one! Even AS a "Selbständiger" you can deduct more expensed to reduce your taxable income. But your wrong opinion is shared with many other local Germans, so no offense. One exeption is Gewerbesteuer wich could partly reduce your income Tax. Dcue to partly deduction it could be a higher taxation AS a employed one, but depends where you living it add on Up to 3 or 4 Percent.

[@andymo4671]

and one good advice, If you re a Freelancer and only work for one company , specially If they (company) from foreign countries you have to Take a Steuerberater , because you easily found a taxable entity from the US company in Germany and AS representive May you are responsible for taxes of the Company in Germany. Than an expensive health insurance will be a minor Issue.

[@bgondar]

@@andymo4671 Oh, I would love a Steuerberater. I have been searching for a couple of months for one now, that speaks english so can help me navigate all this new german taxes world. The problem, I think, is that because of the inflation, first consultations are up to 230 euros per hour, just a consultation, then its up to 95 hours per hour to do the taxes itself. A bit salzig.

[@yashashshreevaidya3463]

I have private health insurance by Dr Walter and it says it covers direct billing with the doctor. I was wondering if dermatologists are covered in the insurance?

[@simplegermany]

You'd need to check your policy or consult with Dr. Walter directly :)

[@sharmadha8827]

Are all medicine costs prescribed by the doctor covered by Public insurance?

[@simplegermany]

We talk about that here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaSkXpSDqcaad5I

[@dushansilva1]

Can you have both public and private?

[@simplegermany]

No

[@ManukaMadurangaa]

Is it possible to switch to public insurance after being covered by private insurance?

[@simplegermany]

It is tough, but not impossible. We go into more detail on this topic on our written guide: www.simplegermany.com/private-vs-public-health-insurance-germany/#How_to_change_health_insurance_from_private_to_public_in_Germany

[@NondoPondo]

10€ is cheaper than a hotel or even a hostile. Can I buy health insurance and stay at the hospital when I visit Germany? 😂😂😂

[@Clipz-quick]

Breakfast lunch dinner included 😂 that’s the best deal.

[@AlexBardanov]

Will my private insurance cost me more later in my life? Ie: it will cost me 400EUR/month at 35, will it stay the same at 70?

[@lilg2300]

it will get more expensive with age. that's also one reason why the public health insurance does not accept people returning to them very easily. simply because then everyone would chose the cheaper private health insurance when young and healthy and then switch to the public once the private insurance gets really expensive.

[@DavidReinhardInVertas]

The contribution rises with the medical inflation, not because of age. With good private health insurance companies the contributions rise way less the in the public one. Just put aside the money you save with the private insurance and you will be very well of and have better and faster treatment. We recently made a video about this, also with the possibility to speak to an expert that compares all the private health insurances in Germany and helps you make the right choice, feel free to check it out.

[@nikhil.m.a771]

Can we get dental treatment with public insurance?

[@simplegermany]

Yes, basic treatment and preventative check-ups are included. However, bigger treatments may have a surcharge. You can read more about it in our guide: www.simplegermany.com/best-dental-insurance-germany/

[@terrencepereira169]

This video can be ended in 2 minutes.. JUst tell me which one is cheaper!

[@onofremartin73]

Their efforts and conciseness in creating this video is already worth the time to watch it. If you want 2 mins to watch then spend your time looking for it which probably will take you longer than this video 😂 Be appreciative of their effort since they are really taking their time and effort to create high quality contents ✌️

[@simplegermany]

As we explain in the video, is not only about which one is cheaper. It’s about which one you have access to. If you have access to both, the video is aimed to help you navigate the decision before blindly getting into a health insurance contract.

[@nineteenfortyeight]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍🏆

[@darkpenink6730]

I need to get dental filling in 1 tooth. Would TK insurance cover it? Or do I need to get supplementary insurance? I am an MS student and currently don't earn money.

[@schnaeutz4546]

Die Unterschiede in Wartezeiten auf Termine sind schon krass. Ich bin privat versichert und bekomme zum Beispiel einen Termin am nächsten Tag. Im Hintergrund höre ich am Telefon, wie einem anderen Patienten gesagt wird, der Doktor könne Termine erst in etlichen Monaten wieder machen. Ein anderes Beispiel: in kenne jemanden, bei dem eine schwere Erkrankung nur durch eine Untersuchung rechtzeitig entdeckt wurde, die die gesetzliche Krankenkasse nicht bezahlt hätte. Da ist es noch das geringere Probleme, dass für Privatpatienten bei manchen Ärzten ein Wartezimmer mit bequemen Sesseln vorhanden ist und man von Helferinnen gefragt wird, ob man einen Kaffee möchte, während das Wartezimmer für die gesetzlich versicherten Patienten mit Menschen vollgestopft ist, die auf unbequemen Stühlen sitzen. Die Ursache ist natürlich, dass die Ärzte von Privatpatienten ein Vielfaches dessen kassieren, was sie für die Behandlung eines gesetzlich Versicherten erhalten, wenn sie für eine Untersuchung überhaupt etwas bekommen, was am Quartalsende der Fall sein kann. Mir haben mehrere Ärzte unabhängig voneinander versichert, dass die Behandlung von Kassenpatienten bestenfalls kostendeckend ist. Der Praxisgewinn resultiert nur aus der Behandlung der Privatpatienten. Automatic translation by google: The differences in waiting times for appointments are blatant. I have private insurance and can get an appointment the next day, for example. In the background, on the phone, I hear another patient being told that the doctor won't be able to make appointments for several months. Another example: I know someone whose serious illness was only discovered in time through an examination that the statutory health insurance company would not have paid for. It is even less of a problem that some doctors have a waiting room with comfortable armchairs for private patients and the assistants ask you if you would like a coffee, while the waiting room for patients with statutory insurance is crammed full of people who sit on uncomfortable chairs sit chairs. The reason is, of course, that the doctors collect from private patients many times what they get for the treatment of a person with statutory insurance, if they get anything at all for an examination, which can be the case at the end of the quarter. Several doctors have assured me independently of one another that the treatment of patients covered by health insurance covers costs at best. The gain in practice results only from the treatment of private patients

[@martinpahl5652]

Sounds a bit made up. I never ever have been to a doctor who has different waiting rooms for private and public patients. I have heard of the other case, though: The "Chefarzt" in a hospital insisting on only he treats the private patients, and the patient having to wait hours in the ER because the doctor was on the golf course. There is also a risk of unnecessary examinations (yes, every examination has its own risk, even if it might only be a false positive), just done because they are paid for. I am in the " Gesetzliche", and have never had any examination delayed or refused. On the whole treatment is usually prompt and good. Admittedly, there are some specific therapies with long waiting times, usually ones that are not life threatening, very specialized and require long stays in a clinic.

[@schnaeutz4546]

@@martinpahl5652 Du nicht, aber ich. Es geht auch diskreter: Der Chef der Gemeinschaftspraxis hat ein eigenes Wartezimmer; wie zufällig behandelt er in aller Regel nur Privatpatienten, während sich die übrigen Ärzte um die Kassenpatienten kümmern. Ich möchte nicht wissen, wie der Praxisgewinn verteilt wird. Oder der Privatpatient darf gleich auf den Stühlen vor dem Behandlungszimmer Platz nehmen und muss gar nicht erst ins Wartezimmer. Selbstverständlich gibt es auch Ärzte, wo alle der Reihe nach bedient werden, das ist sicherlich auch die Mehrheit. Die Gefahr, dass ein Privatpatient nicht notwendige Behandlungen erhält, besteht, und ich bin dem gerade selbst nur entgangen, weil der Doc zu gierig war, so dass ich mißtrauisch wurde.

[@ingeborgeickmeyer5179]

🎉 "Promo SM"

[@sweetpotato908]

Aok are rude they always treat those that not speak German like nothing

[@handsome_man69]

Which is better for chronic herpes?