Job Discussion Forums

[puhutes]

Hey everyone!
This is my first post asking a question. I've been living here near Frankfurt since July 2007 and I do have a Canadian travellers insurance (just incase I'm in a life or death situation). But my boyfriend has been pressing me to get a German health insurance. I've looked at the private ones and they cost a minimum of 250� a month. Does anyone here have German health insurance? Maybe someone can point me in the direction of where I can go (with which company) and how much you pay for German health insurance. Coming from a land of free medical care, I'm not too excited at the idea of having to pay for it. Thanks in advance.
Jennifer

[nelly06]

Hi puhutes

Why do you need German health insurance, if you are covered by a travel insurance? Unless that insurance is not comprehensive enough, I can't see a reason why you should pay for an extra one.
I suspect, your boyfriend is afraid that something might happen which is not covered by your travel insurance. Medical care for sure is not cheap in D and you might have to pay in advance and reclaim the money back later from your travel insurance. I would check the small print of your existing insurance and then decide if your really need the German one. Bear in mind Germans tend to be over-insured!

Btw: Healthcare is not free in Canada unless you have a resident permit (e.g temporary workers, permanent residents). And even they have to pay for a private insurance for the first couple of month of their arrival.
It is also not as comprehensive: Dental- and eye care and a prescription drug plan are not included!

[puhutes]

Hello Nelly,
My canadian travel insurance should be enough if I have a serious accident and need to be sent to the hospital. What I'm looking for is specifically day to day medical covergage. If I want to visit a doctor, go to the dentist, visit a chiropractor, etc. A basic travel insurance does not cover this. The free Canadian health care I was refering to was my normal OHIP (ontario health insurance plan)... I know this doesn't really cover me for the year I am here in Germany. I just don't feel like paying 300euros every time I want to go to the visit a Doctor or Dentist... if you know what I mean
LG Jennifer

[nelly06]

Hi LG Jennifer,

I know what you mean.... .
It can be risky not to be covered for 'normal' medical sevices. It all depends on how much you expect to use it.
Have you checked with the insurance if there is an option, where you pay, lets say 20% of the treatment cost to reduce the monthly premium?
If I were in your shoes I would sign up for the insurance.
Just too risky without....

Good luck!

[Ferne]

Hi Jennifer,

as a German living abroad but visiting once a year, I am also on a travel insurance for emergencies so whenever I am home and visit the doctor(s) or dentist (which I do frantically because I just don't have the nerve to do that in China) I have to pay cash. Which is NOT a bad deal at all. My parents actually were surprised at how much cheaper everything (a single visit, a new filling, a lab test) seemed in relation to what they pay per month for the Krankenversicherung. If you are only in Germany for a year, are covered for emergencies and are generally healthy, I think you will survive very well without the Versicherung. If you need a check-up at whatever type of doc, or fall victim to the flu season, it will still not set you back as much as the monthly payment would have been. You just have to deal with the weird looks you get at the reception desk when you say you don't have insurance

Personally, I totally advocate getting the best coverage possible...but I also know that this is not always an option especially for us poor country-hoppers!!