Approximately 72 million people in Germany are insured by the statutory health insurance companies. Individuals can choose between various health insurers ("Krankenkassen"): “Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse”, “Ersatzkassen”, “Betriebskrankenkassen” or “Innungskrankenkassen”. The most popular insurance companies that provide this compulsory or mandatory coverage are AOK, BEK, BKK, DAK, KKH and TKK (Gesetzliche Krankenkassen) - see below.
The health insurers differ only slightly in the level of contributions collected and the services and cover provided. Employers and employees each pay half of the insurance contributions. The contributions vary from company to company and in 2002 on average they made up 14 percent of gross earnings. However, there is an upper ceiling for the calculation of contributions. Even very high-income employees do not have to pay health contributions of more than seven percent of € 3,450. The employer pays the same amount. No contributions are payable for members of the family who do not work. From this point of view, employees with families are better off than single employees.
The statutory health insurance funds cover the member and his/her families in the event of illness to prevent an illness from becoming a financial risk, and provides financial protection in times of sickness and during maternity leave. The basic services covered are laid down by law: national health insurance pays for:
All insured persons have a free choice of panel doctors and dentists. The health insurance company pays the doctor's costs, as well as the costs for drugs, hospital treatment and preventative health care. Patients have to pay a contribution towards medicines and certain services (spectacles, dentures). The treatment of children are exempt from such charges. In the event of sickness employees continue to receive their salary or wages from their employer for up to six weeks. Some collective agreements provide for an even longer period. After this the health insurance company provides sickness benefits for up to 78 weeks. However, not all expenses will be covered by the compulsory health insurance. It is be advisable to have an additional private insurance to cover certain health related expenses.
Furthermore, due to the health reform, patients who take an active role in protecting their health and put the service of the health care system to good use are now eligible for a bonus from their health insurance fund. Each statutory health insurance fund will decide on the details of its own bonus system. As a “reward”, patients may receive reductions in their co-payments and practice fees or their insurance contributions may be reduced. There may also be other bonuses including prizes.
If you are covered by one of the national health insurance programs, your “Krankenkasse” will issue an insurance card to you. You will need to take this card with you each time you visit a doctor or for any other health service to which your benefits apply or for which you seek reimbursement. Either way, you should always take your health insurance card with you, including if you have to go the hospital. Moreover, in 2006 the current health insurance card will be replaced with a digital health car. This card will contain all patient information and the required data for writing digital prescriptions. Patients can also opt to have important personal health information placed on the card. This data can range form medications taken to emergency information such as blood type, allergies and chronic diseases. Patients decide for themselves how much information should be saved and who will have access to it.
Furthermore, if you join the German health insurance scheme, it is recommended to authorize your health insurance company to debit monthly payments from your account directly for the entire duration of your stay
Since about 300 statutory health insurance schemes are available and employees are free to choose their health insurer as long as they inform their employer, we will only provide a short list of the most popular insurance companies that provide this compulsory or mandatory coverage in Germany: