Hi

Im foreigner living in germany and i'd like to know more about health 
insurance system in this country. which companies run this business here, 
which types of insurance they provide, what are prices for that, what kind
of attendace i become for particular insurance type etc.

I need to insure myself therefore i need to choose myself one. 

Im particulary interested in an insurance type which allows me to get
all medical attendance which i need/is necessary and which is fully paid 
by insurance company.
Im 25, male, in (almost) perfect health, so "all necessary medical attendance"
means for me just a coverage of all(!) fees in case of accident/injury, 
including complicated surgery operations, rehabilitation therapies etc.
(but i dont wanna pay more than necessary)

(my only imperfection is short sightedness (-2.5 dioptries). so please pay 
also some attention to that kind of insurance which covers corresponding 
laser operation, but take this just a minor task)

thx.

Bost

PS: there's no need to give me instant answer. i need quality not quantity

---

Clarification of Question by bost-ga on 06 Feb 2003 01:05 PST

> Dear bost-ga,
>
> I began to research your question, and very quickly convinced myself
> that you need a researcher who reads German.

:))

> 1.  What is your citizenship?  The countries of the European Union
> have been working to develop better reciprocity on their national
> health insurance plans.  It is possible that you may have adequate
> coverage from another national health plan.

I come from Slovakia (former Czecho-Slovakia not Slovenia) which is
not EU member but it's going to be accepted to EU in march 2004
(i hope :))

> 2.  Do you currently have any health insurance?  If so, what is the
> nature of your current coverage? A national health plan, an
> employer-based plan, an individual plan?  Again, it is possible that
> you may have coverage under your existing health insurance, if any.
> Alternatively, if you have established coverage elsewhere and you are
> in Germany for a relatively short period of time, you may be able to
> cover yourself with a "travel insurance" policy.

Yes. Currently im insured in Germany in Techniker Krankenkasse,
insurance type: Voluntaree health insurance, contribution class 621
(freiwillige Krankenversicherung, Beitragsklasse 621).
I have no idea which cathegory it matches and what it really means but it's
very expensive.

Im also insured in Slovakia (individual plan + travel insurance).
The individual insurance in Slovakia is valid only there. It's cheap (in 
general) and therefore useful to keep it - in case of accident out of germany 
they cover expenses for first aid. for further medical attendance i'll ask in 
germany. 

Anyway i think the german health care system is uncomparable better and 
because of that i'd prefer to be insured there. (furthermore i guess i have to 
be insured here in germany but i must check the Green Card issue conditions)

> 3.  What is your status in Germany?  If you are there as a student, it
> appears that it may be relatively easy to obtain a student policy.  If
> you are working there, can you describe your work status?  Are you a
> full-time employee, a consultant, a contract worker?  Your insurance
> options are likely to be different depending on your work and visa
> status.

Im full-time employed in IT business. My work permission (Green Card)
allows me to stay in Germany 4 years more (if the EU acceptance stuff
gonna foked up)

> 4.  How long do you plan to be in Germany?

in about one year i need to go back to slovakia for 2-3  months.
after that i'd like to return to Germany for a couple of years more
and after that i seriously think about moving to Sweden for about
the same time (i'll see).
So alltogether i plan to stay in germany 3-4 years more.


> 5.  Would an international health insurance policy be of interest to
> you?  There are companies that provide worldwide health insurance
> policies; these policies are generally designed for people who travel
> a lot and want a policy that provides consistent benefits wherever
> they are.

hmm. i work on projects. it means about half a year here and half a year
there. so i suppose is better/cheaper to insure myself in the country
where i currently stay. anyway i suppose i'll stay in germany in next
years.
In fact i know almost nothing about this insurance stuff so honestly:
I dont know, it depends on offer, but i think international insurance
would be only more expenses for the same service

> I am sorry that I could not be of more help to you.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> pocoloco

EOF

Bost

---

Request for Question Clarification by romana-ga on 10 Feb 2003 07:46 PST

Hi bost-ga,
this is a very interesting question. I'm German but no health
insurance specialist. In my opinion, the best way to get a really
comprehensive and independent comparison of the appropriate health
insurance for you, is to contact the nearest "Verbraucherzentrale"
(organization for councelling and protecting consumers). If you give
me the name of the town in which  you are living in Germany, I can
contact them for you. Please let me know if I can be of further help
to you.
Kind regards
romana-ga

---

Clarification of Question by bost-ga on 10 Feb 2003 09:07 PST

Hi Romana
> Hi bost-ga, 
> this is a very interesting question. I'm German but no health
> insurance specialist. In my opinion, the best way to get a really
> comprehensive and independent comparison of the appropriate health
> insurance for you, is to contact the nearest "Verbraucherzentrale"
> (organization for councelling and protecting consumers). If you give
> me the name of the town in which  you are living in Germany, I can
> contact them for you. Please let me know if I can be of further help
> to you.

Verbraucherzentrale ?? they provide anything like this ? komisch
Im live in Stuttgart-West and i work in ludwigsburg

> Kind regards 
> romana-ga

bye by

Bost

Dear bost-ga,

I began to research your question, and very quickly convinced myself
that you need a researcher who reads German.

I would like to ask you the following clarifying questions, which I
think will help the next person to assist you more effectively.  In
each case, I have indicated the reason for the question.

1.  What is your citizenship?  The countries of the European Union
have been working to develop better reciprocity on their national
health insurance plans.  It is possible that you may have adequate
coverage from another national health plan.
     
2.  Do you currently have any health insurance?  If so, what is the
nature of your current coverage?   A national health plan, an
employer-based plan, an individual plan?  Again, it is possible that
you may have coverage under your existing health insurance, if any. 
Alternatively, if you have established coverage elsewhere and you are
in Germany for a relatively short period of time, you may be able to
cover yourself with a "travel insurance" policy.

3.  What is your status in Germany?  If you are there as a student, it
appears that it may be relatively easy to obtain a student policy.  If
you are working there, can you describe your work status?  Are you a
full-time employee, a consultant, a contract worker?  Your insurance
options are likely to be different depending on your work and visa
status.

4.  How long do you plan to be in Germany?

5.  Would an international health insurance policy be of interest to
you?  There are companies that provide worldwide health insurance
policies; these policies are generally designed for people who travel
a lot and want a policy that provides consistent benefits wherever
they are.

I am sorry that I could not be of more help to you.

Sincerely,

pocoloco

Hi bost-ga,
yes they really do. If you want to contact them yourself, here are
their address and opening hours:

Verbraucherzentrale Stuttgart

Paulinenstr.47
D-70178 Stuttgart

Telefon : (07 11) 66 91 10 (9-12 h)
Fax : (07 11) 66 91 - 50



Unsere Öffnungs- und Beratungszeiten: 

Mo: 9-17 Uhr 
Di: 9-17 Uhr 
Mi: 9-19 Uhr 
Do: 9-17 Uhr 
Fr: 9-13 Uhr 
  
Their URL is: www.verbraucherzentrale-bawue.de

I had a look at their web site and found out, that you can download
for the fee of 1.28 Euro a list of more than 200 health insurers in
Germany with their prices. In order to download the list please go to:
http://www.verbraucherzentrale-bawue.de/doc1969A.html
Payment is to be regularized via the Net900 software which will be
installed automatically before downloading.

I hope that this information is helpful to you.
Kind regards
romana-ga

Hi Romana

thx for info about verbraucherzentrale. i just downloaded the Net900 soft
but it's gonna take some time till i'll become PIN number to pay for the 
document or to visit the verbraucherzentrale branch office.
after that i'll rate your answer

EOF

Bost

PS: sorry for the delay