A Traveller's Guide to the Health Care System in Germany

Although well respected, the health car system in Germany is by no means cheap and it is therefore important for travellers to secure good health or travel insurance policies when visiting the country. It is also worth remembering that credit card payments are not accepted by most hospitals and clinics in Germany, so cash payment is essential. If you’re not carrying enough cash to foot the bills, you could contact a consular officer to arrange for the transfer of funds from your home country to Germany. A consular officer will also inform your friends and family about your condition. The best thing you could do when travelling overseas to countries like Germany, Australia, Canada, or the UK, is to purchase Travel Medical Insurance before departing from your home country.

Accessing the Health Care System in Germany

• If you purchase travel medical insurance, your medical expenses will be taken care of by your insurance provider. There are multiple health insurance companies that offer you policies for overseas medical coverage. When purchasing health insurance coverage, make sure you ask pertinent questions about the coverage you’re offered. Find out whether you can or cannot use your overseas medical card in any country across the globe. Determine what inclusions/exclusions are listed on your policy. Ask your insurance agent if you could get admitted at any hospital in any country or whether you’re required to stick to network hospitals only. Also, find out if the policy covers the cost of ambulance services and hospitalization.

Medical Insurance for Overseas Travellers

• You may be charged a deductible if you need to use the health care system in Germany, so find out what this deductible amounts to. If you’re travelling to Germany on business, your company may be able to arrange for travel medical insurance for you. If this does apply to you, make sure you read the policy and determine your extent of coverage before you depart. If you feel the need to purchase additional coverage, you can always contact the insurance provider and amend the policy. US citizens should find out if their current medical insurance policy already offers overseas medical coverage. In some instances, US insurance providers offer basic international coverage but the policy could be upgraded for added protection. The health care system in Germany is robust and the doctors are proficient in their line of work. So, it’s good to have insurance coverage as a safety blanket to bank on.