The differences between public and private health insurance

We've put together the most important differences between the two systems:

 PRIVATE INSURANCE (PKV)  PUBLIC INSURANCE (GKV)
   
Each person gets their own insurance contract with an individual premium In some cases, family members can be co-insured at no extra cost
   
A wide range of tariffs is available to choose from: basic, medium, luxury, with a variety of deductibles/ excesses Cover is set by law and, with very few exceptions, is virtually identical from Kasse to Kasse (Public provider)
   
The price depends on your age, gender, state of health and the level of cover you choose The price depends on your gross income up to a capped level. Employees pay 15.5% into public insurance with the employer contributing 7.2% of this. Voluntary members may pay extra if they have other sources of income, eg from rented property.
   
The law requires private insurance companies to invest 10% of  the client's premium to ensure costs can be reduced later Public insurance funding comes from the contributions of all the members. No monies are set aside for  the future
   
Depending on the tariff, free choice of doctors, dentists,alternative medical practitioners, hospitals, private or semi-private bed in hospital. Doctors can refer you to a specialist. Alternative medical treatment is in most cases not included, general ward in hospital.
   
You get an itemised bill after treatment and send it to your insurance company. You don't get a bill because the doctors settle directly with your public Kasse.
   
 Depending on your tariff, 100% of dental treatment is paid for as well as more costly filling materials such as gold and ceramic. Up to 80-85% of costs for teeth replacement such as bridges and crowns 100% of dental treatment is paid for (but not professional teeth cleaning). Mostly amalgan or plastic is used for fillings. There is normally a maximum contribution of 50% of  the costs of teeth replacement.
   
Help with the costs of buying new glasses / contact lenses and prescribed medicine Only the cheapest prescribed medicine is paid forand there is usually a co-payment. No help with paying for new glasses or contact lenses.


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