Make the most of health extras: More benefits, fewer costs
10 Jun 2025
8
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
Many people with statutory health insurance know the feeling: Basic care is solid, but special requests or extended treatments come with additional costs. Health extras can be a sensible addition here. Learn how to find the right supplementary benefits for your needs and use them wisely.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Health extras, such as IGeL or private supplementary insurance, complement the GKV services 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.
Pay attention to details such as waiting periods, scope of benefits, and reimbursement limits when considering additional insurance, and answer health questions truthfully.
Understanding Health Extras: IGeL and Supplementary Insurance in Focus
Health extras encompass a broad range of services beyond the standard care provided by statutory health insurance (GKV). These include Individual Health Services (IGeL), which are additional offerings by doctors that are paid for directly by patients. They range from consultations before distant travel to special early detection methods, whose benefits are not always scientifically proven. Private supplementary insurance offers another way to extend coverage, for example, for better dental treatments or comfort in hospital. The INTER insurance group emphasizes that supplementary insurance can secure high-quality additional services and preferred treatment.
Many health insurers now offer their own programs for health extras. For example, the Mobil Krankenkasse reimburses its insured up to 200 euros per year for services like professional teeth cleaning or osteopathy under the program 'Mein Extra Gesundheitsgeld 200PLUS'. The decision for or against such extras should always be made after careful examination of the individual need and actual benefit. It is advisable to thoroughly check which services are already covered by the statutory health insurance before making additional arrangements. This ensures that health extras provide a true added value.
Practical Examples: How Health Extras Can Concretely Help
The benefits of health extras often become apparent in specific situations. Suppose you need a professional dental cleaning that goes beyond the scope of statutory health insurance services. With a health cash programme like that of Mobil Krankenkasse, you could be reimbursed up to 60 euros per treatment (maximum twice a year). Another example is the treatment by a naturopath or osteopath. INTER offers tariffs that cover costs for alternative healing methods.
Health extras can also make a difference in the hospital. A hospital supplementary insurance, like that offered by Allianz, often allows for accommodation in a single or double room and treatment by the head physician. These additional services can make the hospital stay more comfortable and contribute to recovery. For those who wear glasses, a glasses insurance or a subsidy 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 individually improve care.
Expert Depth: Legal Aspects and What to Watch Out For
The legal basis for benefits of the statutory health insurance is anchored in the Fifth Book of the Social Code (SGB V). This regulates which medical services are considered necessary and must be covered by the insurers. Individual health services (IGeL) often do not fall under this because their benefits are not always sufficiently proven or they are deemed not medically necessary. Doctors are obliged to fully inform you about IGeL, including the costs and why the insurance does not cover them.
With private supplementary insurance, it is important to examine the contract terms carefully. Pay attention to waiting periods, exclusions, and the amount of reimbursements. Allianz points out that there can be general waiting periods of three months and specific waiting periods of eight months (e.g., for childbirth). Our expert tip: Always compare several offers and check which services are truly relevant to your life situation. A ruling by the Federal Social Court (BSG) made it clear that statutory health insurance funds may not directly compete with private insurers with their own supplementary insurance that goes beyond statutory benefits. This highlights the importance of critically examining offers and precisely analysing one's own need for health services.
Identifying your needs: Which health extras are beneficial for you?
The selection of the right health extras greatly depends on your personal life situation and health needs. Young, healthy individuals often have different priorities than families or older people. A dental supplementary insurance can make sense for almost everyone, as statutory health insurance often only provides a fixed subsidy for dental prostheses. Allianz offers plans here that can reimburse up to 100 percent for prevention and dental treatment.
Consider which risks you want to cover. The following questions can help with the decision:
Which health services have you paid for privately in the last five years?
Are there any pre-existing conditions in your family that make specific preventive examinations advisable? (e.g., Health Check-up Insurance)
Do you value alternative treatment methods or comfort services in the hospital?
Are you planning trips abroad where special insurance is necessary?
An honest analysis of these points helps avoid poor investments and select the health extras that bring you the greatest benefit. Also, consider prevention offers, such as subsidies for sports courses, which many insurers offer. These can help maintain good health in the long run and save costs.
Weighing up Costs and Benefits: How to Make the Right Decision
When deciding on health extras, costs play an important role. IGeL usually require direct payment, and prices can vary significantly. For example, costs for glaucoma screening without suspicion may arise, which are not covered by insurance. Private supplementary insurance policies have monthly premiums that depend on the coverage and your age of entry. Allianz provides an example of outpatient supplementary insurance starting at €7.62 monthly for a 21-year-old.
In contrast, there is the benefit: A long-term care insurance can protect against high personal contributions in the event of needing care. A cancer insurance can offer financial security during tough times. Our expert tip: Compare the annual costs of the additional coverage with potential reimbursements or the avoided financial risk. Sometimes it is cheaper to pay small amounts yourself than to take out insurance for every conceivable case. A careful consideration is crucial here for your health extras.
The path to your optimal health extras: Consultation and completion
Once you have analysed your needs and identified initial health extras, it's time to make your concrete selection and proceed with signing up. Many health insurance companies provide information on statutory benefits or cooperate with providers of supplementary insurance. INTER emphasises the possibility of tailoring an insurance package to suit your needs. It's important to answer health questions truthfully when taking out private supplementary insurance, as failing to do so may jeopardise your coverage.
Make use of independent comparison portals and seek advice. Pay attention to the following points when comparing offers:
What services are exactly included and which are excluded?
What are the waiting times before you can claim benefits (often three to eight months)?
Are there maximum limits for reimbursements per year or per service?
How flexible is the contract (cancellation periods, adaptation options)?
Comprehensive advice helps you find the right health extras and avoid pitfalls. Remember, taking out supplementary insurance can be a long-term decision. Therefore, take sufficient time to research and compare in order to optimally supplement your healthcare coverage.
More useful links
Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis) provides detailed information on healthcare expenditure in Germany.
Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis) offers the latest press releases on health-related statistics.
The GKV-Spitzenverband provides information about 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 on patient 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 useful for everyone?
Whether health extras are useful depends on individual life circumstances, health 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. Supplemental insurance policies are private contracts that cover specific risks or performance improvements against regular contributions.
Can I deduct contributions for health extras from my taxes?
Contributions to private supplemental health insurance can, under certain conditions, be claimed as tax-deductible expenses, although often only if the maximum amounts have not already been 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 cancelling the contract.
Are there any health extras specifically for children?
Yes, many insurers offer special child rates for supplementary insurance, such as for orthodontics, better preventive care, or <a href="/solutions/subsolutions/kinder-unfall">accident protection</a>.
