Moving To Berlin

[lemharris]

Hi,

I’m based in the UK and have been on an insulin pump for 10+ years, and have recently had approval for sensor funding covered by the NHS. Unexpectedly (and excitingly), I have just been offered a job in Berlin to start in the new year.

I wanted to know if anyone has had any experience with the Germany medical system/insurances, and what sort of premium I am look at paying to continue my pump and sensor therapies? Would this be covered by the statutory health insurance (GKV), or will I need a specific private insurance (PKV)?

Any help/advice would be amazing!

Thanks a lot.

 

[rebrascora]

Hi and welcome

I believe @Paulbreen is based in Germany so perhaps he would be kind enough and knowledgeable to advise on this?

Good luck with your new job and relocation and I hope the transition of your medical care goes smoothly.

 

[Paulbreen]

Hi Lemharris, the lovely Barbara is correct, I live in Germany for the last 12 years, the German health insurance worked a little different to the UK but it works well. Basically there is 2 versions the statutory insurance and the private insurance, you would normally be in the statutory category where your employer will deduct your monthly premium from your salary and the amount depends on the salary. You can choose the insurance provider, I’m an engineer so I use a company called Teckiner Krankenkasse who work with engineers but there is no rule who you select, I signed with them on word mouth from a friend. The level of benefits are the same no matter who you are with and the amount you pay is a percentage of your salary.
You won’t be judged on any pre existing condition, it’s against the law, google deutche Krankenkasse company’s and you will find hundreds of choices
I get much better care than I would I the UK and have the latest treatments and technology available to me
You will find a GP for the basic stuff and they will write a prescription for your specialist doctors, for instance for a diabetic doctor and then you google one in your local area and make an appointment and go along with your prescription, and this works for most conditions I have a diabetic doctor, a neurologist, a cardiologist, a orthopaedic doctor and the list goes on
If you have any questions just ping me here or PM me and I’ll be happy to help

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hope the move goes well @lemharris

 

[lemharris]

Thank you all for the kind messages, and particularly all that information @Paulbreen! Contract is on its way through, then I guess I better start learning German for the new year.

Thanks again!

Lem

 

[Paulbreen]

Thanks Lem, best of luck on your new adventure, you’ll enjoy Germany especially Berlin