Notifying Health Insurance of a Death: Deadlines, Documents and Important Steps for Survivors
28 Apr 2025
12
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
The loss of a loved one is an emotional ordeal. However, the bereaved must also report the death to the health insurance provider. This article explains the necessary steps, deadlines, and the documents you will need.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Notify the health insurance of the death promptly and submit a copy of the death certificate if requested.
Determine the insurance status of previously family-insured dependents within two months.
Destroy the health card of the deceased and arrange for the return of any aids.
Immediate Actions: The First Steps After a Death
Immediately after a death, some urgent formalities must be completed. This includes the issuance of the death certificate by a doctor. If a person dies at home, a doctor must be called immediately; in a hospital or nursing home, the staff will take care of this. A funeral home should be contacted within 36 hours of the death, as they can assist with many formalities. The death certificate is requested from the registry office at the place of death, for which the death certificate and other personal documents of the deceased are required. It is advisable to request several copies of the death certificate at once, as these are needed for various cancellations. These initial steps are fundamental before you notify the health insurance of the death.
Informing the Health Insurance: Process and Required Documents
The report of the death to the health insurance should be made promptly. Many health insurance companies, such as IKK Südwest or BARMER, require a copy of the death certificate for deregistration. Some insurers, like Techniker Krankenkasse, indicate that the death certificate is not required; a telephone notification may suffice here. It is advisable to ask the relevant health insurance directly about the specific requirements. The membership of the deceased ends on the day of death. Overpaid contributions are usually refunded or partially reimbursed by the end of the month following the death. The deceased's health card does not need to be returned but should be destroyed for data protection reasons by, for example, cutting the chip. Also clarify what happens with any outstanding benefit payments such as care allowances.
Deadlines and Implications: What You Absolutely Need to Consider
Even though registration with the health insurance is often only referred to as "promptly," there are other deadlines in the event of death that must be observed. For example, the application for the death certificate usually has to be made by the third working day after the death. For notification to life or accident insurance companies, very short deadlines of 48 to 72 hours may apply. Failure to meet deadlines can lead to a reduction or denial of benefits. With the death of the primary insured person, any family insurance for dependents also ends. They often have to contact the health insurance company within two months to clarify their own insurance coverage, which usually continues as voluntary membership. Also, inform yourself about a possible survivor's pension.
Practice Section: Step-by-step guide to reporting to the health insurance provider
To report the death to the health insurance company, it's best to proceed as follows:
Contact the deceased’s health insurance provider by phone or in writing (via email or post). Have the insurance number ready.
Inquire about the specific documents required. In most cases, this will be a copy of the death certificate.
Submit the requested documents in the preferred way (postal, digital).
Inform the insurance about a contact person for possible inquiries or the collection of any aids.
Clarify the future insurance status of previously family-insured relatives. There is often a two-month deadline.
Ask about the policy regarding already paid contributions and any possible refunds.
Destroy the health card of the deceased.
This structured approach helps you stay organized and address all necessary points when reporting the health insurance death notification.
Expert Depth: Legal Aspects and Special Cases
Membership in statutory health insurance (GKV) automatically ends with death in accordance with § 190 paragraph one of the Social Code Book Five (SGB V). A formal cancellation is not necessary; the notification of death serves for information and processing purposes. Care allowances are often paid for the entire month of death, provided there was an entitlement on at least one day of the month. Costs for the medical examination of the corpse and the issuance of the death certificate are private costs and are not covered by the health insurance. For privately insured individuals (PKV), the insurance coverage also lapses with death. Contributions are often due until the end of the month; some insurers reimburse proportionally. [ö,] Family members who were co-insured through the deceased usually have the right in the PKV to transfer the contract to themselves within two months. [ö] For comprehensive preparation for the event of death, an orderly filing of the deceased's documents is a great help.
Our expert tip: Clarify early on whether claims from a funeral insurance policy exist to cushion financial burdens.
Handling care benefits and aids after death
If the deceased person received care benefits, there are several points to consider. As mentioned, the care allowance is often paid out for the entire month of death. If it has not yet been paid out for the month, the payment is made to the heirs. It may happen that care allowance already transferred for the following month is reclaimed if the death occurred at the end of the month. Aids provided on loan by the health insurance or care insurance, such as a care bed or a walker, are usually collected by the contracted medical supply store after scheduling an appointment. The costs for the return transport are covered by the insurance. Consumable care aids such as disposable gloves do not need to be returned. Unopened medication packages must not be reused and must be disposed of properly, usually with the household waste. A term life insurance can help cover such unexpected costs and organisational efforts.
What happens to the family insurance?
If relatives were covered free of charge under family insurance for the deceased person, this co-insurance ends with the death of the main insured individual. However, the insurance coverage for the surviving dependents usually continues automatically as a voluntary membership with the same health insurance provider in order to comply with the statutory health insurance obligation. This means that those who were previously co-insured without contributions will now be required to pay their own contributions. The affected individuals generally need to contact the health insurance provider within two months to clarify their situation and establish the new contribution regulation. It is important not to miss this deadline to ensure uninterrupted insurance coverage and, if necessary, to explore alternative insurance options, such as joining the family insurance of another family member or checking eligibility for a survivors' pension, which can also impact health insurance. The protection of children is a particularly important aspect in this regard.
Further important notices and cancellations in the event of death
More useful links
The Deutsche Rentenversicherung provides comprehensive information about survivor's pension in Germany.
The Federal Ministry of Justice offers the German Civil Status Act (PStG).
Wikipedia provides an article on the topic of death in the German context.
The Federal Ministry of Health provides information about health insurance in Germany.
FAQ
Who needs to report the death to the health insurance company?
The next of kin (e.g., spouse, children, heirs) are responsible for reporting the death to the health insurance company.
Does health insurance automatically end with death?
Yes, membership in the statutory health insurance automatically ends upon the death of the insured person. The notification serves the purpose of formal processing.
What happens to the family insurance if the main insured person dies?
The family insurance ends upon the death of the main insured person. Co-insured family members need to arrange their insurance coverage anew, often through a voluntary continuation of insurance, and usually must notify the insurer within two months.
Does the health insurance cover the cost of the death certificate?
No, the costs for the medical examination of the deceased and the issuance of the death certificate are not covered by statutory health insurance and must be borne privately.
What happens to aids like a care bed after death?
Equipment provided on loan will be collected by the health insurance company or the contracted medical supply store after consultation. The costs for this are covered by the insurance.
How long is care allowance paid after death?
Care allowance is often paid for the entire month in which the person in need of care has passed away, provided there was an entitlement on at least one day of the month.
