Statutory health insurance as a self-employed person and freelancer

Statutory health insurance -As a worker and employee, you are automatically a member of a statutory health insurance fund. The registration and payment of the monthly premiums is done by your employer. However, even if you are self-employed or freelance, you can register in a statutory health insurance and benefit from the advantages of health insurance as a voluntary member. Since there are different statutory health insurance companies, a comparison can also be worthwhile in this case and serve as a basis for you not to necessarily remain in the health insurance chosen by your employer or your local health insurance. In general, the statutory health insurance funds do very well even with voluntary membership.

Is the statutory health insurance worth it?

This question cannot be answered in a blanket manner. If you earn a high income from self-employment or freelance work, the monthly premium can be quite cost-intensive due to its dependence on income. Before you register as a voluntary member of a statutory health insurance, you should necessarily compare and check how high the premium is in your case and whether you are not covered more favorably in a private health insurance.

In the comparison, also consider that the private insurers include an annual premium increase and that it can become expensive with increasing age. A simple switch from the private health insurance back to the statutory health insurance is not so easy. For this reason, you should carefully consider whether you can pay the premiums of private health insurance in the future from your income, or whether it comes to problems with income losses. In the case of statutory health insurance companies, you cannot choose between different tariffs, but as a voluntary member you benefit from the advantage of paying a lower premium if you have a lower income.

Compare GKV and PKV: Save premiums and get the best benefits!

In the past, it was common for self-employed persons and freelancers not to register with statutory health insurance funds. There is no obligation to do so, as you can choose between private health insurance and the benefits of statutory health insurance.

To make the right decision, the focus should be on the benefits. Low premiums offer financial advantages, but are not sufficient for comprehensive health protection in the event of an insurance claim. You will make the best decision if you focus on the benefits as well as on your personal insurance premium and choose your health insurance partner carefully. If the benefits of the statutory health insurance are not sufficient for you due to ever more restrictions, it is recommended that you take out supplementary health insurance to extend the benefits and tailor them to your individual needs.

Further important information on the subject of insurance

In the insurance industry, a distinction is made between compulsory, necessary and recommended insurance. Health insurance, like long-term care insurance, is one of the contracts that every German citizen is required to take out by law. If you finance a house, further insurances can be added, by which the bank and you are secured.

Supplementary health insurance – for whom is it worthwhile?

The benefits provided by statutory and private health insurance are continually decreasing. Some desired benefits, such as the single bed room and treatment by a chief physician in hospital, are not included in the standard tariff of a health insurance. Likewise, in the case of dental prostheses with implants, you have to pay for all services outside the cost coverage of the health insurance companies out of your own pocket and therefore have to reckon with high additional costs. With supplementary health insurance, you compensate for your own financial expenses and have the option of adapting your health insurance to your claim and your individual needs.

• Find out more about supplementary health insurance here.

Private health insurance – advice on benefits and services

It is well known that as a private patient you enjoy a number of advantages, such as not being put on hold for specialist appointments. The privileges of private health insurance pay off, as long as you choose your insurance coverage wisely and based on your needs. Self-employed, freelancers, private individuals and anyone who is not covered by health insurance through their employer or a social agency can opt for private health insurance and benefit from the rate comparison. Generally, you have from a certain gross income per year to choose between statutory health insurance or private health insurance.

• Learn more about private health insurance here.

Health – Advice on insurance

Since 2009, there is a mandatory health and long-term care insurance in Germany prescribed by law. Exceptions are excluded, so that you must also have health insurance as a self-employed person, freelancer and low-income earner. If you are employed subject to compulsory insurance, you are automatically covered by health insurance through your employer and do not have to take care of your basic health protection on your own. The situation is different if you do not have a job that is subject to compulsory insurance and in this case you have to take care of your health insurance yourself.

• Learn more about health here.