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Supplementary outpatient insurance: the easy way to protect yourself against high medical costs
What is supplementary outpatient insurance?
As a rule, only people with statutory health insurance need supplementary outpatient insurance. It covers the additional benefits and reimbursement of costs for outpatient treatment that go beyond the benefits provided by statutory health insurance. Outpatient treatment is always defined as treatment where the patient is not hospitalised but can return home after treatment.
Supplementary outpatient insurance covers various services that are only partially reimbursed or not reimbursed at all by regular health insurance. These can include, for example
- Co-payments for prescription drugs
- Visual aids such as glasses or contact lenses
- Screening examinations that go beyond the statutory screening examinations
- Alternative healing methods
- Physiotherapy, occupational therapy or speech therapy that go beyond the sessions authorised by statutory health insurance
- Dental treatments that go beyond standard care, such as professional teeth cleaning or higher-quality filling materials
Supplementary outpatient insurance is always at your own discretion and subject to your disposable income. It can be useful for improving personal healthcare and financial protection. It is always customised according to individual needs and wishes and is considered in combination with existing statutory health insurance. You are welcome to ask us about the exact options, benefits and conditions, which vary depending on the provider and tariff. We will be happy to help you.
When does supplementary outpatient insurance start paying out?
Supplementary outpatient insurance begins on the start date specified in the insurance contract. However, in 80 % of cases, certain benefits can only be utilised after an agreed waiting period has expired. Waiting periods are periods that apply from the start of the insurance and during which no benefits can be claimed from the supplementary insurance. These periods serve to limit the financial risk for the insurer and prevent abuse.
Typically, it can be between 3 and 6 months. In some cases, such as for visual aids or certain preventive medical check-ups, the waiting period can be longer, for example 12 or even 24 months.
However, some insurers waive or shorten waiting periods if the insured person can prove that they already had continuous health insurance before taking out supplementary outpatient insurance. In such cases, the previous insurance periods are taken into account and the waiting periods are shortened accordingly or waived altogether.
As soon as the waiting periods have expired, insured persons can claim the full benefits of the supplementary outpatient insurance. The contractually agreed benefits, cost reimbursements and possible deductibles apply. In order to claim benefits, proof of the costs incurred and medical prescriptions is normally required, which is submitted to the insurance company for reimbursement.
If you have any questions on the subject of "Supplementary outpatient insurance", we are always there for you. We look forward to your call.