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The German health service is regarded as a model around the world because it ensures excellent medical care for all citizens. This care is provided regardless of the patient’s income.
German cities have close-knit networks of general practitioners, specialists, and dentists. Top medical experts treat patients in both university clinics and specialized clinics.
This comprehensive care is made possible by a separate insurance system. Almost every resident in Germany is a member of a public or private healthcare scheme.
Health insurance is mandatory for everyone living in Germany.
Employees below the income threshold for compulsory insurance (which is currently set at EUR 4,012.50 (2008) per month) must be insured with one of the public health insurance companies (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, GKV).
Foreign employees and students are also obliged to take out this insurance. Citizens from other EU states are entitled to free medical treatment if their stay in Germany is short, but they must take out a German health insurance policy if they plan to stay longer.
The average public health insurance contribution rate currently is around 14.25 percent (November 2006). Employer and employee each pay half of this premium.
The advantage of public health insurance for employees is that family members, such as the spouse and children, are also insured free of charge.
For more information, please also refer to our chapter on the German social security system.
Anyone who earns more than EUR 4,012.50 (2008) per month or is self-employed can choose private health insurance (Private Krankenversicherung, PKV).
The premiums for private health insurance are based on the personal risk profile of the policy holder, and are therefore lower for younger people and increase as the policy holder gets older.
Throughout the state there are over 430 hospitals and 135 preventive and rehabilitation facilities with a total of 145,000 beds. Six university clinics with a total of 154 clinical departments complement the medical infrastructure of the state. In case of need, patients can be sure of receiving treatment which is local, swift and in line with the latest medical findings.
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