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The Doctor's Visit: A Neutral Comparison for GKV and PKV Insured Individuals
The process of a doctor's visit in Germany can differ in essential points depending on the health insurance system – whether statutory or private. The German healthcare system is based on two pillars: statutory health insurance (GKV) and private health insurance (PKV). This article highlights the core principles of both systems, the concrete procedures during a doctor's visit, and the implications for the scope of benefits and costs.
1. Fundamentals of Health Insurance Systems in Germany
Healthcare in Germany is characterized by two different financing and benefit principles.
Statutory Health Insurance (GKV): The GKV, which insures around 90% of the population, is based on the principle of solidarity. Contributions are income-dependent, while benefits are oriented towards medical needs. In the pay-as-you-go system, current revenues are used directly to finance current healthcare costs; no individual long-term care provisions are formed.
Private Health Insurance (PKV): The PKV operates according to the equivalence principle. Benefits are contractually defined in the chosen tariff, and contributions are based on individual risk (age at entry, health status). A significant difference is the formation of long-term care provisions in a funded system to stabilize contributions in old age.
2. The Doctor's Visit: Differences in Practice
The process of a doctor's visit and the billing of costs differ fundamentally for GKV and PKV insured individuals.
Process for GKV Insured (Benefit-in-Kind Principle):
GKV insured individuals present their electronic health card (eGK) at every doctor's visit. The billing of treatment costs is handled directly between the doctor's practice and the health insurance fund.
Scope of Benefits: The scope of benefits is comprehensively defined in the Social Code Book (SGB V). Benefits must comply with the principle of economy, meaning they must be