The statutory health insurance only covers a small portion of expenses for dental prosthetics and complex dental treatments. If you value high-quality dental prosthetics, implants, or regular preventive care, a dental supplementary insurance can significantly reduce your personal expenses.

Features of a good dental supplementary insurance:

• Reimbursement for dental prosthetics up to 100% (implants, crowns, bridges)
• Coverage for professional dental cleaning (1–2 times annually)
• Subsidies for orthodontic treatments (including for adults)

As a statutory insured person, you are generally accommodated in shared rooms and treated by the on-call doctors. A hospital supplementary insurance offers enhanced service by funding optional benefits such as chief physician treatment or single rooms.

Key benefits of hospital supplementary insurance:

• Single or double occupancy rooms for more peace and comfort
• Chief physician treatment or choice of a specialist
• Opportunity to receive care in specialized clinics or private hospitals

If you fall ill for an extended period or need hospitalization, you might face financial losses. Especially if you're self-employed, supplementary insurance can be a lifeline, as statutory income replacement isn't always available.
Difference between the two insurances:

• Sick pay insurance: Complements statutory sick pay to offset any income loss due to prolonged illness
• Hospital daily benefit insurance: Provides a fixed daily amount for each hospital day, useful for extra payments or income losses.

If you travel abroad, you're not automatically insured through statutory health insurance. The GKV generally only covers medical treatments within the EU, and even then to a limited extent. In countries like the USA or Switzerland, hospital bills can quickly climb into five-figure sums. An international health insurance is sensible for anyone who travels regularly, whether for leisure or business. Annual policies are often available from under 20 euros.

Key features:

• Worldwide reimbursement of doctor and hospital costs
• Coverage for a medical repatriation to Germany
• Valid for leisure trips, extended stays abroad, or work & travel

Statutory nursing insurance only covers part of the actual care costs. Depending on the care level, you must contribute significantly. With a nursing care supplementary insurance, you can close this gap and protect your assets.

Key features:

• Monthly nursing care payments, independent of actual costs
• Reimbursement for nursing home costs or home care
• Relief for family members who would otherwise need to provide financial support

The GKV covers many outpatient services only to a limited extent. As a result, you might pay out of pocket for visual aids, alternative treatments, or advanced screenings.

Typical benefits of outpatient supplementary insurance:

• Subsidies for glasses and contact lenses
• Coverage for alternative treatments like osteopathy or homeopathy
• Advanced screenings beyond the GKV standard

Private supplementary health insurances allow statutorily insured individuals to enhance their healthcare, whether through improved dental care, greater hospital comfort, or financial security in case of nursing needs.

As the benefits and prices of such plans can vary widely, independent advice is invaluable in finding suitable and cost-effective supplementary coverage. A careful selection ensures the best possible medical care in the long term.