Information for international students and how German health insurance works

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Horace Burke
10 years ago
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1 Information for international students and how German health insurance works

2 AOK advantages The AOK is a non-profit organisation. As one of the largest health insurance companies in Germany we have the expertise and financial strength to provide excellent medical care at competitive contribution rates. Our service is quick, competent and unbureaucratic. You can always count on us. We offer you Competitive premiums Our special AOK-Studenten-Service at 70 locations in Germany Free choice of over 130,000 doctors and dentists No advance payments thanks to your AOK card Individual advice and personal service provided by our student advisers Accessible office locations, directly on-site in many university and college towns Long opening hours and quick, unbureaucratic help when needed 24/7 nationwide telephone hotline free of charge: Advice and assistance in all matters relating to social security A comprehensive programme to promote health and healthy living Ongoing support to help you overcome all hurdles relating to health insurance during your studies AOK benefits The AOK will also co-insure your spouse and children at no extra charge if they do not have an income of their own. The AOK offers various special benefits to aid a speedy recovery or to improve quality of life for the chronically ill. Your AOK-Studenten-Service will be happy to give you further information. Look at our website:

Our service is quick, competent and unbureaucratic. You can always count on us.

3 How it works In cases of sickness consult a registered doctor of your choice and present your AOK health card. The doctor you first consult should be a general practitioner. They will make a referral to a specialist (e.g. orthopaedic surgeon, physiotherapist) if needed. Some specialists, such as gynaecologists and otolaryngologists, can be consulted without a referral. Dental treatment is paid for on the basis of the benefit-in-kind principle. This means, for instance, that if a member needs a crown, they will get a subsidy from the AOK, calculated as a fixed percentage of the actual costs. Your dentist will prepare a cost estimate. Please submit this document to your AOK adviser and benefit from their advice. If a doctor offers a treatment that is not paid for by public health insurance, they must inform you prior to the treatment that you have to bear the costs on your own. In this case, the doctor requires a written confirmation, that you will bear the costs. There are no reimbursements for such treatments. Optical products for adults are only covered under certain conditions. Please contact us for further details. AOK members can be sure of having access to all the medicines they need. For medication that is only available on prescription, you have to pay a small copayment (between 5 and 10) for each prescribed pharmaceutical at the pharmacy. In Germany, there are also no-prescription pharmaceuticals, such as cold medicine, which are also available in a pharmacy or a drugstore. Physiotherapy, therapy, spa treatments, massages, remedies therapy and radiation therapy are all examples of remedies that are paid for by the AOK as long as your doctor considers the provision of such remedies necessary for medical reasons and prescribes them to you the AOK will pay the contractually agreed prices.

Dental treatment is paid for on the basis of the benefit-in-kind principle.

4 Check-ups 18 years 20 years Preventive dental examination Cancer screening for women 35 years 45 years years 55 years General medical check-up Cancer screening for men Faecal occult blood test Faecal occult blood test or coloscopy Every two years Every two years Every ten years Please make an appointment with your doctor before each examination or treatment, except in cases of emergency or accident.

Faecal occult blood test or coloscopy Every two years Every two years Every ten years Please make an

5 Social security Information about terms and conditions of payment for your health insurance The law requires that students enrolled at a university or college in Germany obtain health insurance coverage. Exemption: You come from an EU/EEA country or there is a social insurance treaty with your home country concerning assistance with health insurance (e.g. Turkey, Serbia, Montenegro). As a matter of principle, the amounts are to be paid for one semester in advance. Exception: You give us a direct debit order. Your health insurance contributions must be paid permanently, i.e. also during the holidays. This also applies even if you do not stay in Germany. The health insurance fund debits the contributions from the account you have stated once a month. The contributions are due for the previous month. (Example: Contributions for the month of October are due for payment on 15 November). If your account is not in credit the contributions cannot be debited, this may lead to the cancellation of your health insurance. Please note that this leads to the cancellation of your enrolment. This may also result in additional problems with your visa. The health insurance fund is obliged to inform the university/college if you have not paid your health insurance contributions. In order to avoid any serious consequences, arrears must be paid without delay. If you have any questions, please contact us or arrange a consultancy appointment.

As a matter of principle, the amounts are to be paid for one semester in advance. Exception: You give us a direct debit order. Your health insurance contributions must be paid permanently, i.e. also during the holidays.

6 Social security Basic contribution Health insurance Contribution amount Health insurance Nursing care insurance Nursing care insurance for childless students Per semester Per month Contribution rate Health insurance Nursing care insurance Premium surcharge for childless students Per month % 2.05 % 0.25 %

semester 388.62 Per month 64.77 12.24 13.

An easy guide to buying private health insurance.

An easy guide to buying private health insurance. Getting private health insurance for tax a very simple check list 1 To save on tax you need appropriate hospital cover Most hospital covers will qualify