Should I go to PKV? An important but also difficult decision
Good health insurance is an important factor for many people in order to be covered in case of illness. Especially in old age, a solid health insurance can avert a large financial burden. However, not everyone is automatically covered by good health insurance; many people are covered by statutory health insurance (GKV), but this often does not cover all necessary services. Here, a private health insurance (PKV) can be a sensible alternative.
Advantages of PKV
Compared to statutory health insurance, private health insurance offers a number of advantages that can be particularly important in old age. Here are some examples:
- Better benefits: Often include benefits that are not provided for in SHI. These include z.B. a higher level of treatment by a chief physician, a wider range of benefits in dental health or even better hospital equipment.
- Individual coverage: Each insured person can individually determine which services he or she needs and which he or she does not need. This way, everyone can tailor their insurance to their exact needs.
- HigherContributions: As a rule, the premiums in the private are higher than in the statutory. But in return you get better benefits. In addition, you can often determine the amount of the contributions yourself, depending on what services you need.
Why you should change early
Those who switch to private health insurance early can benefit from some advantages. Here are some examples:
- Lower premiums: If you switch to private health insurance early, you usually pay lower premiums than someone who switches later. This is because premiums are often linked to age.
- Better health: those who switch early usually have better health than those who switch later. Therefore, it is less likely that you have to pay higher premiums due to an illness in the private health insurance.
- Better coverage in old age: Those who switch early are better covered in old age than those who switch later. This is because you have been insured in PKV for a longer period of time and therefore receive a higher level of benefits.
Who can and who should switch to PKV?
Anyone can switch to private health insurance who is at least 18 years old and has sufficient income to pay the PKV contributions. However, it is important to note that some people, such as those with chronic illnesses or pre-existing conditions, may have to pay higher premiums or may even be rejected by some PKV providers.
Who should switch to private health insurance depends on individual needs and wishes. Here are some factors to consider when making a decision:
- Income: Who has a higher income, can usually pay the higher PKV contributions easier.
- Health: Those who are healthy usually have lower premiums in private health insurance and better coverage in the event of illness.
- Need for individual coverage: Anyone who has special needs or wishes that are not covered by statutory health insurance can benefit from a private health insurance policy.
Supplementary insurance as an alternative
Those who cannot switch for some reason, but still want to benefit from better services and better coverage in case of illness, can resort to supplementary insurances. These are additional insurances that can be taken out in addition to the statutory health insurance and that cover additional services such as hospitalization, dental treatment or treatment by non-medical practitioners.
It is important to note that supplementary insurance does not offer the same benefits as a PKV and is often not as cheap. Still, they can be a good option to improve coverage.
How to switch?
If you want to switch from GKV to PKV, you should consider a few things. Here are some tips:
- Comparison: It is worthwhile to compare different providers in order to find the best insurance policy. Here, one should pay attention to the benefits, the contributions and the conditions.
- Advice: Independent advice can be helpful in finding the best private health insurance. Here, one should consult an expert who is familiar with the various providers.
- Timing: The best time to switch to private health insurance is often when you change jobs or retire. Here you can benefit from the favorable conditions, which often apply to new customers.
Conclusion and advice
Private health insurance can offer many advantages compared to public health insurance. If you switch early, you can benefit from lower premiums, better health and better coverage in old age.
It is worth taking independent advice to decide whether switching really makes sense. This is how to ensure that you get the best possible coverage and that your private health insurance premiums are reasonable.
As an independent insurance broker in Regensburg, we are happy to be your contact for all questions concerning private health insurance as well as supplementary health insurance.