There are over 1.8 million “Beamte“ in Germany: their employers are the various Bund, Länder and other public institutions, known as Dienstherren.
Their spouses and children indirectly add to this number, making the issue of health and other insurance provisions relevant for almost 4 million people.
Whether or not a Beamter has permanent status or for a trial period, every one of them must show proof of private health insurance or as a voluntary member of public health insurance.
In fact, since 2009 under the latest health law reforms, a Beamter has had to sign up for supplementary insurance (known as Restkostenversicherung). This is required because the Dienstherr shares a percentage of health provision costs through the so-called Beihilfe (state subsidy).
But this state subsidy is only a part of the equation because the exact percentage of help depends on the Beamter’s status. He or she then insures the remaining health insurance costs through private insurance.
Entitled to Beihilfe 50 %
Entitled to Beihilfe with two or more children 70 %
Spouses 70 %
Children 80 %
What does this mean? An example: children need their own private health insurance to cover the missing 20%.
If – and this is the crucial issue – the Beamte only gets this Beihilfe if he or she takes out private health insurance!
Public health insurance? NO BEIHILFE!!
There are some other points to remember; the right to Beihilfe for a spouse depends on income and children have it as long as they get child allowance. (Kindergeld). They also then need their own insurance when they turn 27.
Published |
31/03/2012 |
John Gunn