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Eine Person im Kittel hält einen Arm, der einen Gips trägt

Health care 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 providers, 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.

Early detection of cancer: what screening is 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

People with statutory health insurance between the ages of 18 and 34 can get a health check-up as a one-off, and then every 3 years from the age of 35 onwards. Find out here what is involved.

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.

A young bus driver pushing an older man in a wheelchair up a ramp into a bus. A young bus driver pushing an older man in a wheelchair up a ramp into a bus.

Rights of people with a severe disability

People with a severe disability face specific challenges in their daily lives. They have special rights and entitlements to help them participate on equal terms despite these challenges.

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 patient and occupational therapist preparing food in the kitchen. A patient and occupational therapist preparing food in the kitchen.

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 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.

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 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 provider.

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 doctor holding a drawn syringe in his hand in front of a patient Vaccinations: a doctor holding a drawn syringe in his hand in front of a patient

Vaccinations: protection against infectious diseases

Vaccinations can help prevent many infectious diseases and their spread. Read on to discover which vaccinations are available and how they work.

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 the health insurance funds. 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 providers will cover the costs of these.

Schwangere mit Mann und Ärztin bei einer Ultraschalluntersuchung. Schwangere mit Mann und Ärztin bei einer Ultraschalluntersuchung.

Prenatal care: check-ups and counseling

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.

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

Travel costs: when do health insurance providers cover the costs of traveling for medical treatment?

Health insurance providers can cover the costs of traveling for medical treatment. However, this is only possible under certain conditions. Find out more here.

IGeL-Leistungen: Ein Arzt sitzt am Schreibtisch und füllt ein Formular aus. Eine Frau mit weißer Bluse steht hinter ihm. Sie hat den rechten Arm vor dem Bauch verschränkt und mit dem anderen Arm macht sie eine Handbewegung in Richtung des Arztes. IGeL-Leistungen: Ein Arzt sitzt am Schreibtisch und füllt ein Formular aus. Eine Frau mit weißer Bluse steht hinter ihm. Sie hat den rechten Arm vor dem Bauch verschränkt und mit dem anderen Arm macht sie eine Handbewegung in Richtung des Arztes.

IGeL – overview of self-payer services

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

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.