Costs and health insurance
What do you need to know about health insurance when you visit the doctor?
There are many different types of insurance in Germany. Insurance helps you if something happens to you. For example, if you are ill. Or if you have an accident.
You must have a contract with the insurance company. Then the insurance company will help you.
In the area of health, there is health insurance. In Germany, you must have health insurance. This is compulsory.
There are various ways to insure yourself. These options are called ‘statutory insurance’ or ‘private insurance’. In Germany, most people have statutory insurance.
When you go to the doctor, costs are incurred. The insurance pays these costs. This is important because the costs can be very high. Many people can’t pay this on their own.
If you have statutory health insurance, you will receive a chip card. The card is also called a health card.
Your personal data is stored on the card. For example, your name or address.
Take your health card with you when you go to the doctor. You must show the card when you register. The card is read by a computer every three months.
Information is collected on the card. For example, about your illness or treatment. It is best to always carry the card with you.
Maybe something will happen to you. Then the card will help the hospital. The hospital can read important information on the card. For example, what medication you are taking. Or what your emergency details are.
This doesn’t always work yet. You may still have to tell the hospital important information. Not everything is always on the card.
If you have private insurance, you don’t need a health card. Sometimes your insurance company will still give you a chip card.
The chip card can save you time at the doctor’s. Important data is stored on the card. You don’t always have to say your details.
Do you incur costs when you visit the doctor?
Sometimes a visit to the doctor costs money. This means that you have to pay money for certain treatments.
Most treatments do not cost you any money. Then the health insurance company pays the bill.
There is statutory and private health insurance in Germany. Both health insurers will cover your costs. They do this differently.
If you have statutory health insurance, you usually don’t have to pay anything to your GP. The health insurance company pays for the examination and treatment.
The doctor’s surgery takes care of everything. You do not have to speak to the health insurance company yourself. You also don’t have to lay out any money.
For example, you may have a cold or severe pain. Then you usually don’t have to pay any money.
However, there are also treatments that you have to pay for yourself. Sometimes the doctor suggests such a treatment. Or you would like to have such a treatment.
These treatments are called Individual health services. These treatments are abbreviated to IGeL.
There are many reasons why health insurance companies do not pay for these treatments. For example, health insurance does not pay for examinations for travelling and leisure activities.
Health insurance does not pay for cosmetic surgery. Sometimes health insurance does not pay for preventive services either.
The doctor may suggest an IGeL treatment. Then you need to think about it. You can take your time to do so. You can also refuse treatment.
Sometimes you need medication to get better. You may have to pay for the medication yourself. You can buy medication at the pharmacy.
Some medicines require a prescription. This means that you cannot simply buy the medication. The doctor must write down that you should get the medication from the pharmacy.
You do not have to pay for prescription medication on your own. The health insurance fund will pay something towards this.
You will still have to pay some money at the pharmacy. This is a maximum of ten euros for each medication.
You can also buy over-the-counter medication at the pharmacy. The doctor does not have to write you a prescription for the medication. Then you have to pay for the medication yourself.
If you have private health insurance, the situation is different. You must first pay for your visit to the GP yourself. You will then receive an invoice from the practice.
You will receive the invoice directly after the examination. Or the invoice will be sent to your home by post. You then submit the invoice to your private health insurance company.
You have discussed with your private health insurance company whether they will pay for this treatment. If so, you will be reimbursed by your health insurance company.
