What services are included in statutory health insurance?
January 29, 2023 | 50,00 EUR | answered by Friedhelm Schröter
Dear lawyer,
my name is Maria Kessler and I have a question regarding social insurance law, more specifically regarding statutory health insurance. I have been insured under statutory health insurance for some time, but I am unsure about the exact benefits covered by my health insurance.
Currently, I am an employee in a company and have taken out statutory health insurance through my employer. So far, I have only needed a few doctor's visits and medications, so I have not yet extensively researched the benefits of my health insurance. However, I now feel that I need more information to be well taken care of in case of a serious illness.
I am concerned that I do not know exactly what benefits my health insurance covers and whether I am financially protected in case of a serious illness. Additionally, I have heard that there may be differences between the various statutory health insurance funds and I am wondering if I should consider switching to a different health insurance fund.
Therefore, my question to you is: What benefits does statutory health insurance generally cover, and specifically in my case? Are there specific benefits I should pay attention to? And would it be worth switching to a different health insurance fund to receive better benefits?
Thank you in advance for your help.
Sincerely,
Maria Kessler
Dear Mrs. Kessler,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding statutory health insurance. As a lawyer specializing in social security law, I can gladly assist you and provide detailed information on the benefits of your health insurance.
In Germany, statutory health insurance covers a wide range of benefits aimed at ensuring that you are well taken care of in case of illness or injury. This includes medical treatment, hospital stays, medication, healing and aid supplies, preventive examinations, rehabilitation measures, and much more. The exact benefits may vary depending on the health insurance provider, so it is important to inquire about their scope of services.
In your case, as an employee in a company, you are covered by statutory health insurance through your employer. This means that your employer covers part of your health insurance contributions, while you pay the rest. Therefore, you have the right to access the benefits of your health insurance when needed. It is important to familiarize yourself with the benefits of your health insurance early on to be well informed in case of illness.
If you are unsure about the benefits covered by your health insurance, I recommend contacting your health insurance provider directly for clarification. The staff at the health insurance company can provide you with detailed information on the benefits covered in your case and whether there are any additional benefits that may be relevant to you.
Regarding a possible switch to another health insurance provider, it is important to note that the benefits of statutory health insurances are generally legally defined and therefore do not differ significantly from one another. However, there may be differences in additional benefits, service, and contributions among different health insurance providers. If you are dissatisfied with your current health insurance or seek better benefits, you may consider switching. It is advisable to carefully evaluate which benefits are important to you and which health insurance provider best covers them.
In conclusion, I recommend delving deeper into the benefits of your health insurance and seeking individual advice from your health insurance provider if necessary. This way, you can ensure that you are well taken care of and financially secure in case of illness.
I hope this information has been helpful to you. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions.
Best regards,
Friedhelm Schröter, Lawyer
