As in Poland, health insurance coverage is mandatory in Germany. However, it should be noted that in Germany, there is no single nationwide health insurance fund applicable to all insured persons. AOK constitutes the most popular health insurance fund – both among Germans and foreigners.

1. Health insurance in Germany

Every person working in Germany is obliged to have health insurance. This obligation arises at the time of taking up employment or starting his/her own activity.

Having health insurance is extremely important. It is used to pay for health care services, e.g. medical visits, hospital stay, treatments, operations etc.

In Poland, one state entity that deals with health insurance exists. This is the National Health Fund (NFZ – Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia). In Germany, a completely different solution has been adopted. A whole system of health insurance funds functions there. These can be divided into two types: state/ statuory (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) and private (Private Krankenversicherung).

There are several differences between state and private health insurance funds. The first concerns the amount of health insurance contributions. In state health insurance funds, health insurance constributions are set at a fixed percentage rate, the same for all insured persons. On the other hand, in private health insurance funds, the amount of contributions is determined individually for each insured person. Another difference concerns the scope of medical services provided by health insurance funds. The range of services offered by state ones is similar. Private health insurance funds adapt the scope of medical services to the individual needs of insured persons. There is also a difference concerning the way in which medical services are settled by the health insurance fund. In state health insurance funds, settlement is done on a non-cash basis. The insured person doesn’t receive a bill for the services. The situation is different in the case of private health insurance funds. After using medical services, the insured person should receive a bill and then submit it to the insurer.

2. AOK

Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse, AOK for short, is the health insurance fund that insures the largest number of people in Germany. It constitutes a state entity.

AOK is recommended for foreigners working in Germany. Indeed, it provides support in 16 languages (e.g. Polish, Spanish, French, Italian, English). Moreover, AOK has a considerable number of branches throughout Germany.

AOK consists of 11 independent regional funds. These include:

  • AOK Baden-Württemberg,
  • AOK Bavaria,
  • AOK Bremen/Bremerhaven,
  • AOK Hesse,
  • AOK Lower Saxony,
  • AOK Nordost,
  • AOK Nordwest,
  • AOK Plus,
  • AOK Rhineland/Hamburg,
  • AOK Rhineland-Palatinate/Saarland,
  • AOK Saxony-Anhalt.

AOK Nordost is the largest regional fund. This fund was established on 1 January 2011 as a result of the merger of AOK Berlin-Brandenburg and AOK Mecklenburg-Vorpommern health insurance funds.

3. Joining AOK

An application for AOK membership can be submitted at a local AOK branch or sent by post. It’s also possible to use the online form available on the AOK website.

After receiving the request, AOK will immediately process it and then send the applicant confirmation of membership. Upon receipt of the confirmation, it’s necessary to inform the employer of joining health insurance with AOK. The employer will deduct the health insurance contribution from the salary and transfer it to the appropriate health fund.

It should be noted here that in the event of the termination of employment, the insured person has health insurance for another month.

4. Contributions to AOK

The health insurance contribution paid to AOK is set at a fixed percentage rate, the same for all insured persons. It consists of two parts: the general contribution and the additional one. The general contribution is 14.6%. On the other hand, the amount of the additional one is determined individually by each regional fund. Both contributions are covered in equal parts by the worker and the employer.

5. AOK card

The AOK card constitutes the document confirming insurance with AOK. The card contains the following data of the insured person:

  • first name and surname,
  • date of birth,
  • health insurance number,
  • photograph.

The insured person will receive a card after registering him/her with AOK. This document is issued automatically. It isn’t necessary to apply for it.

You must always have the AOK card with you. The card should be presented every time you use medical treatment services (e.g. medical visit, diagnostic tests). Thanks to it, entities providing medical services receive the information necessary to settle medical services provided by them. Indeed, AOK covers the costs of treatment. Only certain services require a fee. However, AOK health insurance holders have discounts on theses services.

The AOK card is valid for the entire period of insurance.

6. Legal notice

The study is a work within the meaning of the Act of 4 February 1994 on Copyright and Related Rights (OJ 2006, No. 90, item 631, consolidated text, as amended). Publishing or reproducing this study or its part, quoting opinions, as well as disseminating in any other way the information contained therein without the written consent of Crede sp. z o.o. is prohibited.

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