Overview: The most important benefits of your health insurance
In Germany, health insurance is mandatory. However, the social system can seem confusing, especially at the beginning. We make it easy for you: Find out here what health insurance services you are entitled to – from doctor visits and medication to other important offers for your health.
The most important services explained
Medical treatment
You need medical help, but your family doctor's practice is closed? The medical on-call service is there for you in the evening, at night and on weekends. To do this, simply call 116 117.
In case of emergency, the emergency number 112 will help you.
Medication
We cover the cost of many medications that you are prescribed by a doctor. You will receive a prescription for this, which you can redeem at the pharmacy. Normally, you only have to pay the statutory deductible. Non-prescription drugs, for example, to treat colds, are usually not paid. Children under the age of 18 do not have to make a co-payment, unless the drug is more expensive than the maximum amount set.
Dependent insurance
In Germany, family members can often be co-insured free of charge through a member. With DAK-Gesundheit, you can also insure your children and, under certain conditions, your spouse or life partner without additional contributions. This means that the whole family receives the same medical services – from prevention to treatment.
Remedies
Remedies such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy or podiatry support medical treatment and help you to heal faster. DAK usually covers 90% of the costs if a medical prescription is available.
Aids
Aids make your everyday life easier – for example, shoe insoles, bandages, hearing aids, wheelchairs or inhalers. DAK advises you and supports you in the selection and assumption of costs for medically necessary aids.
Hospital treatment
If a doctor tells you to go to the hospital, DAK covers the costs of treatment in approved clinics. Depending on the situation, care can be fully inpatient, partially inpatient or outpatient. A statutory co-payment only applies in certain cases. You can also go to the hospital in an emergency.
Emergency
Dental treatment
DAK covers the costs of many basic dental services, for example, dental fillings with certain materials. Your dental practice will bill these services directly via the electronic health card.
Dentures
You will receive a fixed subsidy for dentures such as crowns, bridges or prostheses: at least 60% of the costs of so-called standard care. If you regularly go to dental care and document this in the bonus booklet, the subsidy increases to up to 75%.
Incapacity for work / sick leave
If you are sick in Germany, your doctor's office will issue an electronic sick leave (eAU) and send it directly to the health insurance company. Your employer retrieves the data there itself. You do not have to submit anything at work, but you do have to call in sick, in other words, tell your supervisor that you are sick.
Sick pay
If you have been sick for more than six weeks and your employer no longer pays you a salary, you will receive sick pay from the 7th week of your incapacity for work. The amount is 70% of the gross salary or 90% of the net salary (the lower amount applies).
Maternity benefit
During maternity leave, maternity benefit ensures financial security. It replaces income in the weeks before and after birth and can easily be applied for from DAK.
Long-term care insurance services
Anyone who is in the statutory health insurance is automatically also in the long-term care insurance. It supports care needs – for example with care allowance, care benefits in kind, aids or support in care institutions.
Prevention: Check-ups and preventive examinations
Prevention helps to detect diseases at an early stage. DAK assumes costs for statutory preventive examinations for children and adults, for example, early detection of cancer or health check-ups.
Prevention courses (online or on-site)
Whether exercise, nutrition, relaxation or stress management: DAK promotes certified prevention courses and reimburses up to two courses per year. Many offers are available on site or online.
Bonus program
The bonus program DAK AktivBonus rewards health-conscious behavior with points – such as prevention or sports. You can convert the points into cash rewards or subsidies. Up to 500 euros are possible.
EHIC – European Health Insurance Card
The EHIC is found on the back of your DAK health card. This allows you to receive medical treatment in almost all European countries in an emergency like the local population – without additional foreign health insurance.
The DAK app
With the DAK app, you can conveniently manage everything related to your health insurance digitally. For example, you can simply submit invoices there for reimbursement. The app is available in German and English.
Online video consultation
Via the DAK app, you can digitally ask doctors for advice, receive sick leave notices or receive e-prescriptions – often within 30 minutes.
Psychotherapy
In the case of psychological problems such as anxiety disorders, depression or burnout, DAK covers the costs of psychotherapeutic treatments by licensed therapists. There are individual as well as group therapies.
Vaccinations
DAK covers the costs of all recommended vaccinations – for example against measles, tetanus or flu – as well as many travel vaccinations in full.
