HEALTH INSURANCE IN GERMANY
Health Insurance in Germany
Health insurance in Germany is necessary and you can becomes a part of one of the healthcare system in the world. If you are a citizen, a resident or a student of EU countries and Germany take health insurance in Germany because it is very important for obtaining medical facilities, protecting against high healthcare costs and this is verifying with German law.
Who Needs Health Insurance in Germany?
German Citizens: It applies to all German citizens without exception whether it is through national or private options.
EU and EEA Citizens: These also require everybody who intends to immigrate and work in Germany to obtain German health insurance.
Non-EU Nationals: These particularly seek Germans or their people employed in foreign nations and worth studying in foreign locales an insurance to enable their stay in Germany.
Self-Employed and Freelancers: Likewise, any working persons who are self employed or locked up in freelance jobs in Germany require an insurance cover.
Family Members of Insured Persons: Furthermore, the family attachment textbooks to a public health insurance policy is available to all insured’s family members without any additional cost.
Where Can you Get German Health Insurance?
You can get best insurance from public and private health insurance companies. Each of these has their own requirements:
Public Health Insurance Providers: These health insurance include providers like AOK, TK, and Barmer. Taking this health insurance is better for employed people whose income is low.
Private Health Insurance Providers: Those people whose earning is much better than others like self-employed freelancers and international students from other countries. Some other providers include Allianz, Debeka and AXA.
Choose the best insurance provider which match with your income. Most of the people can move between public and private insurance under some conditions.
How Does the German Healthcare System Work?
The German healthcare system is a binary system which are divided into two parts such as public and private health insurance. We discuss these two in detail:
Public Health Insurance System
Most of the people in Germany are taking insurance from public health system and this system is working under the government. Public insurance provides:
Affordable Rates: The public insurance offers an affordable rates for you to take an insurance. The 14.6% of gross income shared between employee and employer.
Family Coverage: Your family members also includes in this insurance without any other expenses.
Comprehensive Coverage: This insurance covers your medical needs such as hospital stays, doctor visits and taking medicines.
You have access to a wide range of services within the public network with this insurance.
Private Health Insurance System
Private health insurance in Germany is taken by those people whose earning is much better than others. Private insurance provides:
Customized Coverage: You can adjust your plans according to this insurance in which include treatments, dental coverage and you can take private rooms in hospitals.
Higher Cost Flexibility: Private insurance costs are not an income based because they depends upon the age, health and coverage of your protection.
Faster Access to Specialists: Private sectors provides fast services to patient as compared to public sectors.
Is Healthcare Expensive in Germany?
The cost of healthcare in Germany is high as compared to other countries but the insurance system of Germany shows that these costs are reasonable. Costs are shared between the employer and employee for some people which is affordable options in the public system. Private insurance costs vary monthly but can be higher for older or people who are on critical stage.
What Happened if You Do not Have any Health Insurance in Germany?
Without health insurance live in Germany is not only illegal but also very risky. If you fail to secure your health insurance then you can face many problems are as under:
Fines and Penalties: You pay fines which is large in amount if you do not have any health insurance.
Difficulty Accessing Medical Care: First and foremost, many hospitals or health facilities, in possession of the patient’s insurance, will not allow treatment, or place the patient on waiting lists.
Debt from Unpaid Medical Bills: Patients can expect their medical bills to rise astronomically, especially if they lack health insurance. Moreover, unpaid debts often lead to lawsuits.