2.3 Health insurance

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<loop_area type="question">Do I need health insurance cover as a TH student?</loop_area>
<loop_area type="question">Most important: Do I need health insurance cover as a TH student?</loop_area>


Sufficient health insurance cover is a prerequisite for university enrollment and application of a residence permit (for Non-EU-students).
The answer ist yes! Sufficient health insurance cover is a prerequisite for university enrolment and application of a residence permit (for Non-EU-students).




== What must be covered by the policy? ==
== Coverage ==
<loop_area type="question">What must be covered by the policy?</loop_area>
Sufficient health insurance coverage must include the following services:
Sufficient health insurance coverage must include the following services:
* medical and dental treatment,  
* medical and dental treatment,  
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* services during pregnancy and birth.
* services during pregnancy and birth.


== Public (statutory) German Health Insurance Companies==
For more information on how to make use of these services, please see the section on [[Medical Care|medical care]].


''What is the difference between private and public health insurance?''


If you are under 30 years of age, you can insure yourself with a statutory German Health Insurance provider for around 115 Euros per month. This means that you have the same conditions as German students, i.e. after presenting the chip card you have received, the treatment costs will be settled directly between the physician and health insurance provider.
==Valid health insurance from other countries==
Please bear in mind that such an insurance is only valid from the start of the semester (September 1st or March 1st). Therefore you have to take care of your insurance cover before the start of the semester, for instance via a travel medical insurance.
<loop_area type="question">Does the health insurance from my current country of residence also apply in Germany?</loop_area>
Two of the possible public organizations are “Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse (AOK)and “Techniker Krankenkasse (TK)”. All public insurance organizations offer reliable and good services. AOK has an office close to the campus: Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 1-3 (Medical Health Center, Medizinisches Gesundheitszentrum), 2nd floor.
Public health insurance plans from the following countries are also valid in Germany:
After registering, your insurance organization will send your insurance ID card by post. It may take a few days to reach you. Before you receive the card, you can get a registration certificate from the insurance organization to prove your membership.
Member states of the European Union, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, Morocco, Macedonia, Montenegro, Norway, Switzerland, Serbia, Tunisia and Turkey.
Since it takes a few days to issue the ID card, please ask for confirmation of health insurance since you need a proof of health insurance for registration at the university and for application for the residence permit.
 
Anyone who has health insurance from a statutory health insurer has sufficient health insurance coverage in any case (Sec. 2 (3) sent. 3 Residence Ordinance).
Germany has signed social security agreements with these countries. With your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), any medical treatment you require in Germany is covered.  Private domestic and foreign health insurance policies from other countries may also be recognised in Germany.
Be aware that not all costs are covered up to 100% by the Public State Insurance companies (e.g. 10 € per day for hospital treatment).
 
You should inquire about the details with your health insurance provider before leaving home. If your (public or private) health insurance policy from your home country is recognised, then you will need confirmation that you are exempted from public health insurance coverage when you enroll.
 
 
==Public vs. private health insurance==
<loop_area type="question">What is the difference between public and private health insurance?</loop_area>
In Germany, you can choose between statutory and private health insurance providers.


== Private Health Insurance Companies==
<loop_accordion>
<loop_row>
<loop_title>Public (statutory) German Health Insurance Companies</loop_title>
If you are younger than 30, you can insure yourself with a '''statutory German health insurance provider''' for approximately 115 € per month. Thus, you will have the same conditions as German students, i.e. treatment costs will be handled directly by the doctor and the health insurance company after you present the chip card you have received.


All those above 30 years of age cannot be insured through statutory insurance companies. They must therefore join a private health insurance. Please be prepared that this means that the treatment and subsequent costs must initially be paid by the patient first and the relevant receipt presented to the health insurance provider for reimbursement.
Anyone who has health insurance from a statutory health insurer has sufficient health insurance coverage in any case. Be aware that not all costs are covered up to 100% by the Public State Insurance companies. E.g. you have to pay a share of 10€ per day if you need to stay in a hospital.</loop_row>
Private health insurance companies offer different contracts. Since the cheapest contract (approx. 50 Euros) does not cover all medical services, only basic service and emergency coverage, its advisable to subscribe to  an “all-inclusive contract” with the very best service (costs at least 150 Euros/month).
<loop_row>
<loop_title>Private Health Insurance Companies</loop_title>
All those above 30 years of age cannot be insured through statutory insurance companies. They must therefore join a private health insurance. Please be prepared that this means that the treatment and subsequent costs must initially be paid by the patient first and the relevant receipt presented to the health insurance provider for reimbursement.


'''What shall I do if I feel sick?'''
Private health insurance companies offer different contracts. Since the cheapest contract (approx. 50 Euros) does not cover all medical services, only basic service and emergency coverage, its advisable to subscribe to  an “all-inclusive contract” with the very best service (costs at least 150 €/month).</loop_row>
* freedom of choice of gp doctor
</loop_accordion>
* referral to medical specialists
* prescription of medicine - pharmacy (cost)
* emergency number (life threatening symptoms): 112
* preliminary examination avaiable (dentist, gynaecologist)- free of charge
* basic vaccination - free of charge


Further information:
* [https://portal.versicherungsdienste.de/dsw-studenten-kv/index.en.html Portal Versicherungsdienste]
* [http://www.internationale-studierende.de/en/on_arrival/health_insurance/ Deutsches Studentenwerk]


==Students from EU/EEA countries and from Switzerland==
==Insurance start==
<loop_area type="question">When does my health insurance policy start?</loop_area>


Public health insurance plans from the following countries are also valid in Germany:
Please note that insurance policies are only valid from the beginning of the semester (1st of September or 1st of March). Therefore, you must take care of your insurance coverage before the semester begins, e.g. via travel health insurance.
Member states of the European Union, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, Morocco, Macedonia, Montenegro, Norway, Switzerland, Serbia, Tunisia and Turkey.
Germany has signed social security agreements with these countries. With your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), any medical treatment you require in Germany is covered.  Private domestic and foreign health insurance policies from other countries may also be recognised in Germany.
You should inquire about the details with your health insurance provider before leaving home. If your (public or private) health insurance policy from your home country is recognised, then you will need confirmation that you are exempted from public health insurance coverage when you enroll.


After you have registered, your insurance provider will send you the insurance card by regular mail. As it takes a few days for the card to be issued, please ask for confirmation of health insurance, as you will need proof of health insurance to enrol at the university and to apply for your residence permit.


==Registration Documents==
== Needed documents ==
<loop_area type="question">What documents do I need to register for health insurance?</loop_area>
For your registration at the health insurance company you need:
For your registration at the health insurance company you need:
* Your bank account details
* a valid passport,
* Your valid passport
* your bank account details,
* Your German address
* your German address,
* Passport-size photo
* a passport-size photo, and
* Membership application form (provided by the insurance company at the time of registration)
* the membership application form (provided by the insurance company at the time of registration)




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<loop_area type="websource">
<loop_area type="websource">


[https://www.daad.de/en/study-and-research-in-germany/plan-your-studies/health-insurance/%20insurance Introduction to health insurance by the DAAD]</loop_area>
* [https://www.daad.de/en/study-and-research-in-germany/plan-your-studies/health-insurance/ Introduction to health insurance by the DAAD]
* [https://portal.versicherungsdienste.de/dsw-studenten-kv/index.en.html Portal Versicherungsdienste]
* [http://www.internationale-studierende.de/en/on_arrival/health_insurance/ Deutsches Studentenwerk]</loop_area>




<loop_index id="5ffc847ff0024">health insurance</loop_index>
<loop_index id="5ffc847ff0024">health insurance</loop_index>

Latest revision as of 16:59, 25 June 2021

Ques­tion

Most important: Do I need health insurance cover as a TH student?

The answer ist yes! Sufficient health insurance cover is a prerequisite for university enrolment and application of a residence permit (for Non-EU-students).


Coverage[]

Ques­tion

What must be covered by the policy?

Sufficient health insurance coverage must include the following services:

  • medical and dental treatment,
  • supply of pharmaceuticals, wound dressings, therapeutic and aid products,
  • hospital treatment,
  • medical services for rehabilitation,
  • services during pregnancy and birth.

For more information on how to make use of these services, please see the section on medical care.


Valid health insurance from other countries[]

Ques­tion

Does the health insurance from my current country of residence also apply in Germany?

Public health insurance plans from the following countries are also valid in Germany: Member states of the European Union, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, Morocco, Macedonia, Montenegro, Norway, Switzerland, Serbia, Tunisia and Turkey.

Germany has signed social security agreements with these countries. With your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), any medical treatment you require in Germany is covered. Private domestic and foreign health insurance policies from other countries may also be recognised in Germany.

You should inquire about the details with your health insurance provider before leaving home. If your (public or private) health insurance policy from your home country is recognised, then you will need confirmation that you are exempted from public health insurance coverage when you enroll.


Public vs. private health insurance[]

Ques­tion

What is the difference between public and private health insurance?

In Germany, you can choose between statutory and private health insurance providers.

If you are younger than 30, you can insure yourself with a statutory German health insurance provider for approximately 115 € per month. Thus, you will have the same conditions as German students, i.e. treatment costs will be handled directly by the doctor and the health insurance company after you present the chip card you have received.

Anyone who has health insurance from a statutory health insurer has sufficient health insurance coverage in any case. Be aware that not all costs are covered up to 100% by the Public State Insurance companies. E.g. you have to pay a share of 10€ per day if you need to stay in a hospital.

All those above 30 years of age cannot be insured through statutory insurance companies. They must therefore join a private health insurance. Please be prepared that this means that the treatment and subsequent costs must initially be paid by the patient first and the relevant receipt presented to the health insurance provider for reimbursement.

Private health insurance companies offer different contracts. Since the cheapest contract (approx. 50 Euros) does not cover all medical services, only basic service and emergency coverage, its advisable to subscribe to an “all-inclusive contract” with the very best service (costs at least 150 €/month).


Insurance start[]

Ques­tion

When does my health insurance policy start?

Please note that insurance policies are only valid from the beginning of the semester (1st of September or 1st of March). Therefore, you must take care of your insurance coverage before the semester begins, e.g. via travel health insurance.

After you have registered, your insurance provider will send you the insurance card by regular mail. As it takes a few days for the card to be issued, please ask for confirmation of health insurance, as you will need proof of health insurance to enrol at the university and to apply for your residence permit.

Needed documents[]

Ques­tion

What documents do I need to register for health insurance?

For your registration at the health insurance company you need:

  • a valid passport,
  • your bank account details,
  • your German address,
  • a passport-size photo, and
  • the membership application form (provided by the insurance company at the time of registration)


Further reading[]