Fast Facts: German Health Insurance
- The health insurance rates charged by the Krankenkassen are 15.5% of your monthly salary up to a maximum salary amount of 3,825 Euros. This means that the monthly premium can be up to approximately 593 Euros.
- In addition, mandatory nursing care insurance costs a maximum of 84 Euros per month.
- Members of the state health plan pay 10 Euros per quarter that will be collected by the first doctor and dentist you visit. Should you need to visit a different practitioner during that same quarter, you will have to prove that you have already paid the 10 Euros, so always keep your receipt or obtain a written referral (Überweisung).
- Members of the state health plan pay up to 10 Euros in co-payments for prescription medicine and must accept their generics.
- Hospital stays cost 10 Euros per day (max. 280 Euros per year) for members of the state health plan.
- Members of the state health plan can shop around for the best price and provider of supplemental insurance for dental, private doctor, private hospital accommodation etc.
Pros and cons of private health insurance:
- Private health insurance, which offers more choice, is available to persons earning above the threshold set each year or those who are not eligible for the Government scheme. It is available from 48 German health insurance companies. Many do not accept foreigners until they have been resident here for at least two years.
- Pros: Choice of many tariffs, choice of doctors and hospitals (generally world-wide, though with some limitations), payment for alternative/natural remedies, higher reimbursements for dental work, reimbursements for vision products.
- Cons: Each insured person has their own premium, based on the chosen tariff as well as the insured’s gender and age.
- Underwriting can lead to a supplemental premium load if there are any pre-existing medical conditions.
- Premiums must be paid even if you are ill or are not working due, for instance, to the raising of children.
- There can be limits on dental reimbursements in the first years and co-insurance payments are also possible.
Also see our article "Health Insurance Options in Germany" for a complete overview of health insurance in Germany.
Copyright 2012
Cathy J. Matz-Townsend
Independent Insurance Broker
Hainstrasse 2
61476 Kronberg, Germany
Tel: 06173 995020
matz@insure-invest.de
www.insure-invest.de
All information is provided to the best of our knowledge as of January 2012 but we can give no guarantee for its accuracy or completeness.
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Integra Global Launches Online Personal Health Records Powered by Zaptag
London 16 Dec 09
Integra Global a leading provider of Expatriate Medical cover, in conjunction with LAMP Insurance Company Limited, has recently launched its new portfolio of products with a host of innovative added membership benefits which makes their cover highly innovative. As a part of their cover they are leading the ability for customers to be able to manage their own medical records.
Medical and insurance records are truly portable with the Integra Global electronic health record account, powered by Zaptag. The online system allows customers to keep all their medical records in one secure place, uploaded securely on one portable USB Smart medical card.
The flexibility of the system allows individuals to manage their account to meet their needs and lifestyle. Individuals can securely collate their medical information such as immunizations, allergies, blood group, medications and conditions, together with the ability to record and track essential body stats such as blood pressures, sugar levels and weight.
Additionally registered scan centers, physiotherapists and private doctors can post health information directly to their customers secure online medical record. Records can be sent straight from the doctor's desktop to a patient's online Integra Global account, at a touch of a button. Consultation notes, images and scans can then be immediately available.
Juggling between two or three different countries and the multiple ways of practicing health demands specialized services. Integra Global meets these demands with a comprehensive health plan that gives customers access to centers of medical excellence around the world - and all at the touch of a button at www.integraglobal.com.
Philip Catterton. Managing Director of Integra Global comments: "the online health record account is a fantastic plan enhancement for our global members. Many of our members have been on numerous expat assignments and hence have physicians in several different locations. Trying to keep track of health records was a nightmare for them. Now, our health plan members have an innovative tool that enables the management of their health records with medical providers located worldwide such as in the United States, China or the U.K."
The added functionality of the Zaptag account makes the package a lifeline particularly for expatriates and their families when traveling away from their home medical environment and for medical staff to check critical medical information in the event of a medical emergency.
Ian Galllifant CEO of Zaptag Ltd comments: "our partnership with Integra Global is delivering the Zaptag service to customers on a global scale and providing clear health benefits."
The service is available at www.integraglobal.com.
