Information for international students
and how German health insurance
works
AOK advantages
The AOK is a non-profit organisation. As one of the largest
health insurance companies in Germany we have the expertise
and financial strength to provide excellent medical care at
competitive contribution rates. Our service is quick, competent and
unbureaucratic. You can always count on us.
We offer you
Competitive premiums
Our special AOK-Studenten-Service at 70 locations in Germany
Free choice of over 130,000 doctors and dentists
No advance payments thanks to your AOK card
Individual advice and personal service provided by our student
advisers
Accessible office locations, directly on-site in many university and
college towns
Long opening hours and quick, unbureaucratic help when needed
24/7 nationwide telephone hotline free of charge: 0800 0 326 326
Advice and assistance in all matters relating to social security
A comprehensive programme to promote health and healthy living
Ongoing support to help you overcome all hurdles relating to health
insurance during your studies
AOK benefits
The AOK will also co-insure your spouse and children at no extra
charge if they do not have an income of their own.
The AOK offers various special benefits to aid a speedy recovery or to
improve quality of life for the chronically ill.
Your AOK-Studenten-Service will be happy to give you further
information. Look at our website: www.aok-on.de/rh
How it works
In cases of sickness consult a registered doctor of your
choice and present your AOK health card. The doctor you first
consult should be a general practitioner. They will make a
referral to a specialist (e.g. orthopaedic surgeon, physiotherapist) if
needed. Some specialists, such as gynaecologists and otolaryngologists, can be consulted without a referral.
Dental treatment is paid for on the basis of the
benefit-in-kind principle. This means, for instance, that if a member
needs a crown, they will get a subsidy from the AOK, calculated as
a fixed percentage of the actual costs. Your dentist will prepare a
cost estimate. Please submit this document to your AOK adviser and
benefit from their advice.
If a doctor offers a treatment that is not paid for by public
health insurance, they must inform you prior to the treatment that
you have to bear the costs on your own. In this case, the doctor
requires a written confirmation, that you will bear the costs. There are
no reimbursements for such treatments.
Optical products for adults are only covered under certain
conditions. Please contact us for further details.
AOK members can be sure of having access to all the
medicines they need. For medication that is only available
on prescription, you have to pay a small copayment
(between €5 and €10) for each prescribed pharmaceutical
at the pharmacy. In Germany, there are also no-prescription
pharmaceuticals, such as cold medicine, which are also available in a
pharmacy or a drugstore.
Physiotherapy,
therapy,
spa
treatments,
massages,
remedies therapy and radiation therapy are all examples
of remedies that are paid for by the AOK as long as
your doctor considers the provision of such remedies
necessary for medical reasons and prescribes them to you − the AOK
will pay the contractually agreed prices.
Check-ups
≥ 18 years
Preventive dental
examination
Once a year
≥ 20 years
Cancer screening for
women
Once a year
≥ 35 years
General medical check-up
Every two years
≥ 45 years
Cancer screening for
men
Once a year
50 − 54 years
Faecal occult blood test
Once a year
≥ 55 years
Faecal occult blood test
or coloscopy
Every two years
Every ten years
Please make an appointment with your doctor before each
examination or treatment, except in cases of emergency
or accident.
Social security
Information about terms and conditions
of payment for your health insurance
The law requires that students enrolled at a university or college in
Germany obtain health insurance coverage.
Exemption: You come from an EU/EEA country or there is a social
insurance treaty with your home country concerning assistance with
health insurance (e.g. Turkey, Serbia, Montenegro).
As a matter of principle, the amounts are to be paid for one semester
in advance. Exception: You give us a direct debit order.
Your health insurance contributions must be paid permanently, i.e.
also during the holidays. This also applies even if you do not stay in
Germany.
The health insurance fund debits the contributions from the account
you have stated once a month. The contributions are due for the
previous month. (Example: Contributions for the month of October
are due for payment on 15 November).
If your account is not in credit the contributions cannot be
debited, this may lead to the cancellation of your health insurance.
Please note that this leads to the cancellation of your enrolment.
This may also result in additional problems with your visa.
The health insurance fund is obliged to inform the university/college
if you have not paid your health insurance contributions.
In order to avoid any serious consequences, arrears must be paid
without delay.
If you have any questions, please contact us or arrange a
consultancy appointment.
www.aok-on.de/rheinland-hamburg/kontakt.html
Social security
Basic contribution
Per semester
Health insurance
€388.62
Contribution amount
Per month
Health insurance
€64.77
Nursing care insurance
€12.24
Nursing care insurance for
childless students
€13.73
Contribution rate
Health insurance
Per month
10.85 %
Nursing care insurance
2.05 %
Premium surcharge for childless
students
0.25 %