How Germany's Health Care System Works
The German health care system is world renowned. Since 2009 mandatory insurance has been in place without exception. Health insurance companies are not able to deny people coverage due to pre-existing illnesses or to discontinue their treatment because of high costs.
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Germans can go to any physician and any hospital at any time.
(© Colourbox)
Nevertheless, or perhaps because of this, Germany spends merely 10.4 percent of its GDP on health care, according to calculations by the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development). Per capita spending on health care comes to approximately $3,588 annually. Growth rates in costs are moderate. According to the OECD, Germany saw an average adjusted 1.4 percent increase in per capita spending on health care between 2000 and 2007. The average annual increase for all OECD countries came to 3.7 percent.
Germans can go to any physician and any hospital at any time. Waiting times for doctor visits are relatively short by international comparison. Usually, a person can receive an appointment with a primary-care physician on the same day of the ailment.
Benefits for employees
Additional benefits for employees include:
- A “maternity allowance” for 14 to 18 weeks. The health insurance funds grant women up to roughly $500 per month during maternity leave (generally six weeks prior to and eight weeks following the birth); the difference in income is picked up by the employer.
- A “parental allowance” for 12 to 14 months for a parent who stays at home following the birth of a child instead of working. The parental allowance amounts to 67 percent of the monthly net income from employment or no more than €1,800 monthly, but no less than €300.
- Unlimited paid sick leave.
More Information
The OECD data for Germany (including some data on the United States) can be downloaded in PDF form here.
OECD
Further information and date is also available on the website of the Federal Ministry of Health.
Federal Ministry of Health
