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Healthcare Benefits for those with health insurance

If a person becomes ill, the statutory health insurance scheme (GKV) covers many of the costs of medical and therapeutic care. In addition to treatment, this also includes the supply of medication, medical dressings and patient aids. You will find more information here about the benefits provided by health insurance funds, additional contributions and what to be aware of when submitting a claim. 

Benefits for those with health insurance

Cancer screening: patient undergoing mammography screening. A doctor is standing next to the woman. She is conducting the examination. The X-ray of a breast is visible on a screen. Cancer screening: patient undergoing mammography screening. A doctor is standing next to the woman. She is conducting the examination. The X-ray of a breast is visible on a screen.

Cancer screening: what examinations are available?

With screening, cancer or certain cancer precursors can be detected before they cause symptoms. The chances of healing thus often improve.

Medical examinations for children and adolescents: small child sitting on a doctor’s couch playing with a stethoscope. A doctor is examining the child carefully. Medical examinations for children and adolescents: small child sitting on a doctor’s couch playing with a stethoscope. A doctor is examining the child carefully.

Health checks for children and adolescents

Health checks are important for the healthy development of children and adolescents. Find out more about U and J check-ups.

Health check-up: woman sitting opposite a doctor. She has a pressure cuff around her arm and is having her blood pressure measured. Health check-up: woman sitting opposite a doctor. She has a pressure cuff around her arm and is having her blood pressure measured.

Prevention through the health check-up

In Germany, people with statutory health insurance can have a health check-up once between the ages of 18 and 34, and every three years from age 35 onward. This article explains what the health check-up involves.

A girl lying on a hospital bed holding a teddy. An adult holds the girl’s hand, into which an intravenous line has been inserted. A girl lying on a hospital bed holding a teddy. An adult holds the girl’s hand, into which an intravenous line has been inserted.

Key information when having an accompanying person in hospital

In some situations, it can be useful to be accompanied when in hospital. Whether or not costs are covered depends on several factors including the medical need.

A woman in a warehouse holds a hand to her head while leaning against a box for support. A woman in a warehouse holds a hand to her head while leaning against a box for support.

Occupational diseases – hazards in the workplace

People are exposed to various hazards in their workplaces. Exposure to certain hazards can cause illness. This article provides more information about the topic of “occupational diseases”.

The image shows a stethoscope and a globe. The image shows a stethoscope and a globe.

Illness while abroad

Even when traveling, people can get ill. Before setting off, they should find out about medical care in the destination country, put together a travel medical kit and check their insurance cover.

An elderly woman sitting in a wheelchair in a bright hospital corridor. She is smiling and shaking hands with a doctor. In the background are a nurse and an elderly man, who is pushing the wheelchair and carrying a bag. An elderly woman sitting in a wheelchair in a bright hospital corridor. She is smiling and shaking hands with a doctor. In the background are a nurse and an elderly man, who is pushing the wheelchair and carrying a bag.

Hospital discharge – what’s next?

There is often a lot to organize for the period after a stay in hospital. Discharge management helps people successfully plan for the transition.

A mother and daughter in a swimming pool. A mother and daughter in a swimming pool.

Preventive medical benefits – health-promoting retreats

A health retreat, i.e. availing of treatments at a health resort, can promote rest and recuperation and prevent illness. This article provides information about the eligibility criteria for applying for a health retreat, the application process and how the costs are covered.

A carer accompanies an elderly woman with a walker. A carer accompanies an elderly woman with a walker.

Short-term care: temporary residence in a care facility

Short-term care is useful when care at home is temporarily not possible. People in need of care can move into a care facility during this period. Long-term care insurance contributes to the costs.

An elderly man is examined by a dentist. An elderly man is examined by a dentist.

Dental services: what do health insurance funds cover?

Many dental treatments and examinations are fully or partly covered by health insurance funds. Find out more in this overview of health insurance services at the dentist.

A podologist uses a foot care instrument to treat a foot under a magnifying lamp. A podologist uses a foot care instrument to treat a foot under a magnifying lamp.

podology

Podology is the medical field that treats pathological changes to the feet. Read this article to discover when podological treatment is advisable and what exactly it involves.

A girl performs exercises with a physiotherapist while holding a ball A girl performs exercises with a physiotherapist while holding a ball

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy can be both preventative and used to treat several medical conditions. This article offers an overview of treatment methods, processes and prescriptions.

A speech therapist points at her mouth while speaking to an infant. A speech therapist points at her mouth while speaking to an infant.

Speech therapy

Speech therapy treats language, voice and speech impediments. An overview of disorders, treatment methods and prescriptions.

An occupational therapist helps a patient practice balancing on a piece of equipment with a wobbly surface. An occupational therapist helps a patient practice balancing on a piece of equipment with a wobbly surface.

Occupational therapy

Occupational therapy helps people to take care of themselves independently on a daily basis and to participate in working life. Find out who occupational therapy is for and how it is prescribed.

A man wearing a helmet sits in a warehouse, holding his right ankle in pain. A man wearing a helmet sits in a warehouse, holding his right ankle in pain.

Insurance cover for work-related accidents – regulations and benefits

People can have accidents at work or while attending daycare facilities, schools or third-level education settings. Statutory work insurance providers verify accidents and award benefits.

A young woman holding a smartphone in one hand and pillboxes in the other. A young woman holding a smartphone in one hand and pillboxes in the other.

The HealthID as a digital identity in healthcare

People can use the HealthID to identify themselves online and avail of digital healthcare services. The HealthID is issued by their health insurance fund.

A man and woman consulting a doctor in the doctor’s office. A man and woman consulting a doctor in the doctor’s office.

Primary care – the role of the family practice

Your family practice is an important point of contact for all health-related questions. This article outlines how to find a family practice and what services it offers.

A person with a stethoscope stacking wooden blocks with medical symbols on them. A person with a stethoscope stacking wooden blocks with medical symbols on them.

Health insurance – security in the event of illness

If a person becomes ill, health insurance covers the costs of any necessary medical care. This page explains how the health insurance system works in Germany.

A young woman during a rehabilitation session. A young woman during a rehabilitation session.

Therapeutic services

Physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, podology and nutritional therapy are all among the therapeutic services to which people with statutory health insurance are entitled.

A woman laying her hand on the forehead of a man lying in bed. A woman laying her hand on the forehead of a man lying in bed.

Palliative care for the critically or terminally ill

People who are critically or terminally ill are entitled to live and die in dignity. Special palliative care services are available for this purpose. Discover health insurance benefits in this area.

Two people examining documents for a co-payment exemption. Two people examining documents for a co-payment exemption.

Co-payments and exemption from co-payment

Co-payments have to be paid in the case of many statutory health insurance benefits. It is possible to get an exemption from this co-payment requirement in certain cases.

Vaccinations: a nurse puts a plaster on the upper arm of a young girl. Vaccinations: a nurse puts a plaster on the upper arm of a young girl.

Vaccinations: protection against infectious diseases

Vaccinations offer the best way for people to protect themselves and others from many infectious diseases. Some vaccinations should be given in childhood, while others should be repeated annually.

A man hands a prescription to a pharmacist. A man hands a prescription to a pharmacist.

Medication costs – insurance cover and co-payments

When a doctor prescribes medication for a patient, most of the cost is covered by health insurance. Read on to find out what costs are covered and what has to be paid by patients themselves.

Woman does an exercise on a gym ball under the guidance of a physiotherapist. Woman does an exercise on a gym ball under the guidance of a physiotherapist.

Medical rehabilitation (rehab)

Rehab can help prepare people for their return to everyday life and work following an illness. Discover who is entitled to rehab and how it can be applied for.

A woman handing a document to another woman A woman handing a document to another woman

Services and elective services in hospitals

Certain services are provided to all patients in hospital. In addition, there are extra, elective (i.e., optional) services that patients can avail of and that must be paid for.

A sick cert with a pack of pills in the foreground A sick cert with a pack of pills in the foreground

Sickness benefit: amount, duration and calculation

How can I claim sickness benefit? What do I need to know about claiming sickness benefit? This article provides an overview of useful information about sickness benefit.

A salesperson and a customer with a walking aid. A salesperson and a customer with a walking aid.

Medical aids – cost coverage and co-payment

Medical aids are products that help people with health issues manage everyday life more easily. Discover when health insurance funds will cover the costs of these.

Special mobility vehicle for wheelchair users Special mobility vehicle for wheelchair users

Travel costs

Health insurance funds can cover the costs of traveling for medical treatment. However, this is only possible under certain conditions.

IGeL services: doctor sitting at a desk filling out a form. A woman in a white blouse is standing behind him. She has her right arm across the front of her stomach and is gesticulating towards the doctor with her other arm. IGeL services: doctor sitting at a desk filling out a form. A woman in a white blouse is standing behind him. She has her right arm across the front of her stomach and is gesticulating towards the doctor with her other arm.

IGeL – overview of self-payer services

In Germany, “IGeL” are individual health services that are not normally covered by statutory health insurance.

Young woman sitting on a coach leaning forward supporting her head in her hands in despair. A therapist is sitting opposite her taking notes. Young woman sitting on a coach leaning forward supporting her head in her hands in despair. A therapist is sitting opposite her taking notes.

Psychotherapy: an overview

This article provides an overview of the topic of psychotherapy and explains its effectiveness and the various approaches that may be used.

A pregnant woman, accompanied by her male partner, is having an ultrasound scan with a doctor. A pregnant woman, accompanied by her male partner, is having an ultrasound scan with a doctor.

Prenatal care: check-ups and advice

Regular check-ups during pregnancy are important for both mother and baby. They allow risks or complications to be detected and treated at an early stage.