Introduction

The health insurance system has very unique norms and regulations in Germany. Most Germans do possess health insurance in some form or the other. It is not only a need but it is also law to have insurance especially regarding health insurance. Just 0.3% equals about 250,000 people in Germany are not insured. Only a handful of these uninsured people are so rich that they do not need insurance but most people which are not insured are poor and actually cannot able to afford it.

The Insurance Scenario

"Krankenversicherung" is the German word for health insurance and as mentioned above it is mandatory in whole Germany. Generally, Germany has compulsory health insurance but private health insurance programs are offered as well.
The statutory insurance sector is funded by nearly 241 insurance companies in Germany. Government has subsidized the national health insurance program. Your employer has to pay half of the premium and the other half is deducted monthly from your salary. Receiving an employment in Germany means that your contract would automatically cover your insurance. The employer is required to complete all formalities on your behalf. In many cases, if you need a resident permit, you would need to show your insurance cover by the company.

Statutory Health Insurance

80 percent of the German population is covered under the national health insurance system or called "Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung (GKV)". This can be done in three different ways.
The typical employee has a monthly income less than 3975 Euros. This amount is the limit below which you can only elect to be covered under the "GKV". If you income exceeds the stipulated income level or if you are self-employed or if you are a civil servant, then you are eligble to apply for private health insurance e.g. "Private Krankenversicherung (PKV)" which will be discussed below.
If you are dependant on someone covered under the national health insurance the third case applies. After the year 1995, Germany has made it mandatory to be covered under the nursing care plan which covers costs for old age, disability or in-patient care at any nursing home. This plan covers any additional expenses like wheelchair or special bed, etc.

Private Health Insurance

Private insurance offers tailor made plans to suit your needs if you elect to chose private insurance. People that earn more than 3975 Euros still can expect that their employer pays half the insurance premium. However, the premiums in such case can be lowered if you decide to pay small expenditures by yourself. Moreover, if you do not put any claim within a whole year, five annual premiums are going to be refunded to you.
If your monthly income does not exceed the limit, you can choose if an additional private insurance, the so called "private Zusatzversicherung" will fit in your special case.

Comparison statutory health insurance – private insurance

The main difference between the private insurance plan and the national health insurance plan lies in the bases of premium. The private insurance premium is determined on the basis of ages, gender, health and certain other pre-existing situations. In case of national health insurance, the premium is simply determined by your income level. The coverage offered under national and private insurance plan are basically identical. They both take care of hospital stays, routine check ups, dental care, x-rays, immunizations, etc.
Although the premium for a private insurance is sometimes higher, you can think of opting for private insurance considering the benefits it offers. If you put no claim within a year, you get a considerable rebate. Other than that, you also get preferential treatments at the hospital. These could be that you can choose the hospital where you want to be treated or get a single room for yourself. Moreover, you can also ask to be treated by a doctor rather than an intern. And as a special tread you may even been offered better food!

Customer reviews and Travel Health Insurance

If you want to know more about health insurance offered by companies, read on about medical insurance company comparison. The reputed online magazine "Stiftung-Warentest" gives you pretty reliable consumer reviews. Generally, you can also read on about medical insurance company reviews online (e.g. search: "Test private Krankenversicherung"). The recent medical insurance reforms called "Gesundheitsreform" could as well be very interesting for you.
If you are traveling to Germany for a short time from you need to take travel insurance US as most of the insurances are not applicable in Germany. Most of the Medicare and Medicaid Insurances are not applicable outside United States. If you are a citizen of EU nation, then you are entitled to similar health benefits as any German citizen but in such a case you need to be covered under insurance plan in your own country. If you are a citizen for Turkey, Croatia, Tunisia, and Switzerland, you are entitled to similar benefits as Germany has bilateral social insurance agreement with these countries.
Health Insurance is just not something you have or not:
In Germany it is law to be safe and covered!