Finding your health insurance number: Your guide for 2025
3 Jun 2025
4
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
Do you need to find your insurance number from your health insurance company and are unsure where to look? Don't worry, this process is often simpler than you might think and usually only takes a few minutes. This article will guide you through the necessary steps and explain the importance of your number.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Your health insurance number (KVNR) can be found on the front of your electronic health card (eGK) and is valid for life.
The KVNR is not identical to the social security number (pension insurance number) which is responsible for the pension insurance.
The KVNR is your key to digital health applications such as the e-prescription and the electronic health record (ePA).
The health insurance number (KVNR) decoded: More than just a number
Your health insurance number (KVNR) is a ten-digit code. It begins with a letter and is assigned by your health insurance provider.
It uniquely identifies you within the German healthcare system. Your KVNR is essential for the billing of medical services.
This number remains valid for a lifetime. Even if you change health insurance providers, it stays the same.
Over 90 percent of changes occur smoothly.
You will find this important number prominently displayed on the front of your electronic health card (eGK).
The eGK has been the sole proof of entitlement for services since 1 January 2015.
The introduction of the KVNR is an important step towards the digitisation of healthcare.
This is evident in the field of statutory health insurance. This number is the key to many modern applications.
Quick access to your KVNR: Fast ways to your number
The quickest way to find your health insurance number is by looking at your electronic health card (eGK).
The ten-digit number, usually starting with a letter, is typically printed on the front.
If you do not have your eGK at hand or have lost it, contact your health insurance provider directly.
Most providers offer a service hotline for this purpose. You can request information or a new card 24 hours a day.
It is important that the KVNR is not identical to your insurance policy number.
You can find this on your policy.
The KVNR identifies you as a person within the system. The insurance policy number marks your specific contract. This distinction is crucial.
Clearly Distinguished: KVNR versus Sozialversicherungsnummer
It is important not to confuse the health insurance number (KVNR) with the social insurance number (SV number).
The SV number is also called the pension insurance number (RVNR). It is a twelve-digit number relevant to your pension insurance.
For example, it includes your date of birth. You can find the SV number on your social insurance ID card. Since 2023, this has been called the insurance number certificate.
You will also find it on payslips or letters from the German pension insurance.
However, the KVNR is not on the social insurance ID card.
The KVNR is exclusively on your health card.
While the KVNR ensures your identification within the healthcare system, the SV number is used to record your pension contributions.
Both numbers have completely different functions. Confusion can lead to delays.
This occurs in at least five percent of incorrect applications.
Here is a summary of the main differences:
KVNR: Ten-digit, starts with a letter, on eGK, for health services.
SV number/RVNR: Twelve-digit sequence, on social insurance ID/payslip, for pension insurance.
KVNR responsibility: Health insurance funds, ITSG.
SV number responsibility: German pension insurance.
Understanding this helps you always have the correct number at hand.
It greatly facilitates communication with authorities and service providers.
Digital forward: The KVNR as a key to modern healthcare
The health insurance number is your access to the digital health world. It allows you to use key applications such as the e-prescription.
The e-prescription can already be redeemed in over 8,000 pharmacies. You can also use the electronic patient record (ePA) with it.
These digital tools enable a faster and more secure exchange of medical information.
They significantly improve the quality of care for millions of insured people.
The central allocation and management of the health insurance number is handled by the ITSG.
This body is the information technology service agency of the statutory health insurance.
The ITSG ensures that each number is unique. It is pseudonymised based on the pension insurance number.
This guarantees the highest level of data protection.
The advancing digitalisation makes the health insurance number indispensable. It is an important building block for efficient care.
This is also evident in the electronic insurance confirmation. A patient-oriented care system in the 21st century is the goal.
Expert advice: Solutions for questions and issues regarding your KVNR
If you have trouble finding your health insurance number, your health insurer is the first point of contact.
The staff there can help you directly in more than 95% of cases. They can also issue a new health card.
Our expert tip: Save the service number of your health insurer. This way, you can act quickly if needed.
Regarding data protection, you can be reassured. The KVNR is created based on your pension insurance number.
A secure technical procedure at the ITSG trust centre pseudonymises it.
Direct conclusions about your pension insurance number are therefore not possible.
This ensures the protection of your sensitive data. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has imposed strict rules since May 2018.
Experts are available for specific questions about private health insurance and the KVNR.
The correct handling of your KVNR ensures you access to essential health services.
More useful links
Wikipedia offers a comprehensive article on the health insurance number.
The GKV Data Exchange website provides detailed information on the health insurance number (KVNR).
The GKV Central Association provides information on the uniqueness and validity of the health insurance number (KVNR).
The Federal Ministry of Health provides comprehensive information on the electronic health card (eGK).
Also from the Federal Ministry of Health, you will find definitions of important terms related to the eGK here.
The German Pension Insurance provides detailed information about the social security card.
A glossary entry from the German Pension Insurance explains the social security number.
The Federal Office for Social Security offers an overview of the health insurance topic.
FAQ
Where exactly can I find the health insurance number on the health card?
The health insurance number (KVNR) is a ten-digit number starting with a letter. It is usually clearly visible on the front of your electronic health card (eGK).
Can I ask my health insurance company for my health insurance number over the phone?
Yes, in most cases, you can inquire about your health insurance number over the phone from your health insurance provider after verifying your identity. Alternatively, you can often use the online portals of the insurance companies.
What is the difference between the health insurance number and the insurance policy number?
The health insurance number (KVNR) identifies you as an insured person within the healthcare system. The <a href="/blog/was-ist-eine-versicherungsscheinnummer">policy number</a> (often also called policy number) on the other hand is the contract number of your specific insurance contract with your insurer.
Do private insured individuals also need a health insurance number?
Yes, privately insured individuals also receive a health insurance number. This is required for the use of digital health applications, such as the electronic patient record, and is applied for by the private health insurance.
Who assigns the health insurance number?
The health insurance number is centrally assigned and managed by the Information Technology Service Center of the statutory health insurance (ITSG) in a pseudonymized manner based on the pension insurance number.
Is my health insurance number confidential?
Your health insurance number is important personal data and should be protected. However, it is required for processing healthcare services. Data privacy is ensured through pseudonymised creation and secure transmission paths.
