Since June of this year, refugees from Ukraine have had full access to statutory health insurance in Germany. The prerequisite is that they are registered with the job center, are entitled to social benefits and, as war refugees, have a residence permit in accordance with §24 of the Residence Act. The Federal Ministry of Health provides information about this. As long as refugees do not have a job and no income and therefore cannot pay health insurance contributions, the job center will pay for them. At the job center, refugees are presented with a list of health insurance companies from which they can choose one. However, the benefits provided by the health insurance companies differ only in detail, so there are hardly any differences. Moreover, every insured person can change health insurance companies after one year. In addition, refugees must also contribute to long-term care insurance.
Those who live on their own money as a refugee or receive income from Ukraine must insure themselves in the statutory health insurance fund as a so-called voluntary member and pay the contribution themselves. Alternatively, they can take out a contract with a private health insurance company. If you have an employment contract, half of the health insurance contribution is automatically deducted from your salary; the other half is paid by your employer.
Health insurance in Germany covers visits to the doctor, hospital treatment, dentistry and all medicines prescribed by the doctor by prescription. It also pays for psychotherapy and some other services. During the first 18 months in Germany, refugees from Ukraine are exempt from co-payments for medication. Medication that is not prescribed by a doctor, for example light painkillers, must be paid for by the refugees themselves. For the prevention and early detection of diseases, refugees can also take advantage of officially recommended vaccinations and necessary preventive examinations. Pregnant women and young mothers are entitled to medical care, nursing and midwifery services.
More information about medical care is available on the website of the Federal Ministry of the Interior.
https://www.germany4ukraine.de
Detailed information in German is also provided by the Federal Ministry of Health
https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/faq-medizinische-hilfe-ukraine.html
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Symbol für die Ärzteschaft: das Stethoskop. Foto: tünews INTERNATIONAL / Martin Klaus.
