Get the most out of health extras: more benefits, lower costs
10.06.25
4
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
Many people with statutory health insurance know the feeling: the basic coverage is solid, but special requests or additional treatments cost extra. Health extras can be a useful addition here. Find out how to identify the right supplementary benefits for your needs and make smart use of them.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Health extras such as IGeL or private supplementary insurance complement statutory health insurance benefits and can improve medical care as well as protect against high costs.
A precise needs analysis and a careful comparison of costs and benefits are crucial to finding the right health extras.
When taking out supplementary insurance, pay attention to contract details such as waiting periods, scope of cover and reimbursement limits, and answer health questions truthfully.
Understanding healthcare extras: IGeL and supplementary insurance in focus
Health extras cover a broad range of services beyond the standard benefits provided by statutory health insurance (GKV). These include Individual Health Services (IGeL), which are additional medical services offered by doctors and paid for directly by the patient. They range from consultations before long-haul travel to special early-detection methods, whose benefits are not always scientifically proven. Private supplementary insurance offers another way to extend cover, for example for better dental treatment or added comfort in hospital. The INTER insurance group emphasises that supplementary insurance can secure high-quality additional benefits and preferential treatment.
Many health insurers now offer their own programmes for health extras. Mobil Krankenkasse, for example, reimburses its insured members up to €200 per year under the „Mein Extra Gesundheitsgeld 200PLUS“ programme for services such as professional teeth cleaning or osteopathy. The decision for or against such extras should always be made after carefully assessing individual needs and the actual benefit. It is advisable to find out exactly which services are already covered by statutory health insurance (GKV) before making any additional arrangements. This ensures that health extras provide real added value.
Practical examples: How health extras can help in practice
The benefits of health extras often become apparent in specific situations. Let's assume you need a professional dental cleaning that goes beyond the scope of statutory health insurance benefits. With a health money programme such as the one from Mobil Krankenkasse, you could be reimbursed up to 60 euros per treatment (maximum two per year). Another example is treatment by a non-medical practitioner or osteopath. INTER offers tariffs that cover the costs of alternative healing methods.
Health extras can also make a difference in hospital. A hospital supplementary insurance policy, as offered by Allianz, often enables accommodation in a single or double room and treatment by the consultant. These additional benefits can make a hospital stay more pleasant and contribute to recovery. For eyeglass wearers, eyeglass insurance or a contribution through outpatient supplementary insurance can provide financial relief; INTER mentions subsidies of up to 375 euros within 24 months. These examples illustrate how health extras can improve care on an individual basis.
Expert depth: legal aspects and what you should pay attention to
The legal basis for benefits under statutory health insurance (GKV) is set out in Book V of the Social Code (SGB V). This regulates which medical services are considered necessary and must be covered by the health insurers. Individual health services (IGeL) often do not fall under this category, as their benefits are not always sufficiently proven or they are considered not medically necessary. Doctors are obliged to provide you with comprehensive information about IGeL, including the costs and why the health insurer does not cover them.
With private supplementary insurance, it is important to examine the contractual terms carefully. Pay attention to waiting periods, exclusions of benefits and the level of reimbursements. Allianz points out that there may be general waiting periods of three months and special waiting periods of eight months (e.g. for childbirth). Our expert tip: always compare several offers and check which benefits are truly relevant to your life situation. A ruling by the Federal Social Court (BSG) made it clear that statutory health insurers must not compete directly with private insurers through their own supplementary insurance policies that go beyond the benefits provided for in their statutes. This underlines the importance of critically reviewing offers and carefully analysing your own need for healthcare benefits.
Identifying your own needs: Which health extras make sense for you?
The choice of suitable health extras depends largely on your personal circumstances and your healthcare needs. Young, healthy people often have different priorities from families or older people. Additional dental insurance can make sense for almost anyone, as statutory health insurance often only pays a fixed subsidy towards dental prostheses. Allianz offers tariffs here that can reimburse up to 100 per cent for preventive care and dental treatment.
Consider which risks you want to cover. The following questions can help you decide:
Which healthcare services have you paid for privately in the last five years?
Are there any pre-existing conditions in your family that make specific preventive check-ups worthwhile? (e.g. health check-up insurance)
Do you place value on alternative treatment methods or enhanced comfort services in hospital?
Are you planning trips abroad where specific cover is necessary?
An honest assessment of these points helps avoid poor investments and to choose the health extras that bring you the greatest benefit. Also consider preventive offers, such as subsidies for sports classes, which many health insurers offer. These can help you stay healthy in the long term and save costs.
Weighing Costs and Benefits: How to Make the Right Decision
When choosing health extras, costs play an important role. IGeL services usually have to be paid for directly by yourself, and prices can vary significantly. For example, a glaucoma screening without any suspicion may incur costs not covered by the insurer. Private supplementary insurance policies have monthly premiums that depend on the scope of cover and your age at entry. Allianz gives an example of outpatient supplementary insurance from €7.62 per month for a 21-year-old.
The benefit, by contrast, is clear: long-term care supplementary insurance can protect you from high out-of-pocket costs in the event of needing care. cancer insurance can provide financial security during a difficult time. Our expert tip: put the annual cost of the additional benefit in relation to the potential reimbursements or the financial risk avoided. Sometimes it is cheaper to pay smaller amounts yourself than to take out insurance for every conceivable case. Careful consideration is crucial for your health extras here.
The path to your optimal health extras: advice and completion
Once you have analysed your needs and identified initial health extras, it is time to make the specific choice and finalise the contract. Many health insurers provide information on benefits set out in their own rules or cooperate with providers of supplementary insurance. INTER emphasises the option of putting together a tailor-made insurance package. It is important to answer the health questions truthfully when taking out private supplementary insurance, as otherwise cover may be jeopardised.
Use independent comparison portals and seek advice. When comparing offers, pay attention to the following points:
Which benefits are included exactly, and which are excluded?
How long are the waiting periods before benefits can be claimed (often three to eight months)?
Are there maximum limits for reimbursements per year or per benefit?
How flexible is the contract (notice periods, options for adjustment)?
Sound advice helps you find the right health extras and avoid pitfalls. Bear in mind that taking out supplementary insurance can be a long-term decision. So take enough time to research and compare options in order to supplement your healthcare in the best possible way.
More useful links
Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) offers detailed information on healthcare expenditure in Germany.
Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) provides current press releases on health-related statistics.
The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds provides information on all statutory health insurance funds in Germany.
The Federal Ministry of Health offers information on health promotion and prevention.
The Consumer Advice Centre provides comprehensive information on health insurance.
Wikipedia offers an overview of the healthcare system in Germany.
The Federal Ministry of Health provides a guide to patients' rights as a PDF document.
The Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) offers independent assessments of medical services and procedures.
FAQ
Are health extras worthwhile for everyone?
Whether health extras are worthwhile depends on individual life circumstances, healthcare needs and risk tolerance. A careful assessment of personal needs is essential.
How do I find the right health extras for me?
Analyse your needs, compare offers and pay attention to value for money. Independent advice can also be helpful.
What is the difference between IGeL and supplementary insurance?
IGeL are individual medical services that you pay for directly. Supplementary insurance policies are private contracts that cover certain risks or additional benefits in exchange for regular contributions.
Can I deduct contributions for health extras from tax?
Contributions to private supplementary health insurance can, under certain conditions, be claimed for tax purposes as precautionary expenses, although often only if the maximum amounts have not already been fully used up by basic health and long-term care insurance.
What happens if I answer health questions incorrectly?
Incorrect or incomplete information in the health questions can result in the insurer not covering the costs in the event of a claim or terminating the contract.
Are there health extras specifically for children?
Yes, many insurers offer special children's tariffs for supplementary insurance, for example for orthodontics, improved preventive care or accident cover.
