This article was translated from the original human-written German version. While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee it is error-free. We recommend consulting the German original for the most precise information. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making insurance or financial decisions.
Medical Bills in Health Insurance: Billing and Reimbursement in Private and Statutory Health Insurance (PKV and GKV)
The way medical bills are settled in Germany fundamentally depends on the health insurance system. While statutory health insurance (GKV) is predominantly based on the benefit-in-kind principle, private health insurance (PKV) follows the reimbursement principle. This article highlights the billing processes in PKV, compares them with GKV, and provides insights into the respective procedures.
Fundamentals of Billing Principles
Germany has two main systems: GKV based on the solidarity principle (income-dependent contributions) and PKV based on the equivalence principle (risk-based contributions). These principles lead to different billing models.
The key feature of PKV billing is the reimbursement principle. In this system, a contractual relationship is established between the doctor and the patient. The patient receives a bill, which they pay first and then submit to their insurance company for reimbursement. In contrast, in GKV, billing is usually done directly between the health insurance fund and the service provider (e.g., doctor) according to the benefit-in-kind principle; the patient simply presents their insurance card.
Contributions in PKV depend on the chosen plan, entry age, and health status, and include the formation of actuarial reserves. In GKV, contributions are income-dependent and used in a pay-as-you-go system to finance ongoing expenses.
Detailed Processing of Medical Bills in PKV
The process of handling bills in PKV involves several steps:
1. Treatment and Invoice Generation:
After treatment, privately insured individuals receive a bill directly from the doctor or hospital. These bills are based on the scale of fees for doctors (GOÄ) or the scale of fees for dentists (GOZ). The fee amount can vary depending on the effort and complexity.
2. Review and Payment of the Bill by the Insured:
The insured person reviews the received bill and pays it directly to the service provider.
3. Submission of the Bill to PKV:
Subsequently, the insured person submits the bill to their private health insurance company for reimbursement. Many insurers offer digital solutions for this, such as customer portals or billing apps.
4. Reimbursement by PKV:
PKV reviews the submitted bill and reimburses the costs according to the contractually agreed scope of benefits of the chosen plan.
5. Plan Benefits and Regulations:
The individual plan in PKV determines the exact scope of benefits. Depending on the contract, benefits may be included that go beyond the legally defined catalog of GKV. These may include, for example:
Choice of hospital room (e.g., single or double room, chief physician treatment).
More comprehensive reimbursement for eyeglasses or dental prosthetics.
Coverage for alternative healing methods.
Insurance coverage for travel abroad.
Recommendations for PKV Insured Individuals
To manage the billing and reimbursement process in PKV, insured individuals should consider a few points:
Understanding Your Plan: Familiarize yourself with the exact benefits and reimbursement rates of your chosen plan.
Invoice Review: Carefully check medical bills for accuracy before paying them.
Utilize Digital Submission: Use digital channels for submitting bills, as they often speed up processing times.
Premium Adjustments and Plan Changes: Premium adjustments in PKV are made according to legally defined requirements. Insured individuals have the right to change their plan within their company (§ 204 VVG) to adjust benefits and premiums.
Conclusion and Outlook
The reimbursement principle in PKV provides insured individuals with transparency regarding the medical services used, but requires an active role in bill processing. This contrasts with the benefit-in-kind principle of GKV, where billing usually occurs directly between the insurance fund and the doctor.
The choice between the systems depends on many factors, including income, marital status, and desired scope of benefits. While GKV offers legally defined care based on the solidarity principle, PKV allows for individually tailored coverage with contractually defined benefits. A thorough understanding of the different billing mechanisms is an important step for informed management of one's own healthcare.