In Germany, medical care is organized on a mandatory basis for all people. This means that anyone living in Germany must have health insurance. There are two options:
- Most people are compulsorily insured in the statutory health insurance (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung – GKV). The contributions are based on income and are paid jointly by the employer and employee.
- Some people – for example, the self-employed, civil servants or people with higher incomes – can take out private health insurance (Private Krankenversicherung – PKV). Here, the contributions depend on age, state of health and scope of benefits.
Areas of care
Medical care in Germany is divided into three areas of care:
- Outpatient care: Here, patients are treated by doctors in private practices or medical care centres (MVZ) – i.e. without an overnight stay in hospital. These include, for example, family doctors, specialists, dentists or radiologists.
- Inpatient care: This takes place in hospitals and university clinics. Patients stay here for at least one day, often longer. Operations, emergencies and complex treatments are usually carried out in hospitals. Payment is made via a so-called flat rate system (DRG – Diagnosis Related Groups). This means that the clinic receives a fixed amount for the entire treatment of a specific clinical picture.
- Rehabilitative care (rehab): After surgery or in the case of chronic illnesses, patients can be referred to a rehabilitation facility. There they receive targeted support, for example physiotherapy or occupational therapy, to get fit again for everyday life or work.
Healthcare providers
In Germany, there are different healthcare providers for outpatient and inpatient care.
University hospitals
University hospitals are large hospitals that are closely linked to a university's medical faculty. They offer a comprehensive range of diagnostic, therapeutic and nursing services and often focus on specialised and complex medical treatments. These clinics are also centres for research and teaching.
Hospitals
Small hospitals play an important role in healthcare provision, especially in rural areas or smaller towns. These hospitals offer both outpatient and inpatient care, but are generally not as comprehensively equipped as large clinics or university hospitals. In particular, only limited research takes place here. Sometimes these hospitals are so-called teaching hospitals, meaning they train doctors and Radiographers (Medizinische Technologen für Radiologie, MTR) like university hospitals.
Small hospitals are often well integrated into the local healthcare network and work closely with general practitioners and larger hospitals to ensure comprehensive patient care.
Medical practices
Medical practices are the most common form of outpatient care facility and are intended to be the first point of contact for patients. There are different types of surgeries, including GP surgeries and specialist surgeries. GPs provide basic medical care, check-ups and treat general illnesses.
Specialists, on the other hand, specialise in specific medical fields such as cardiology, dermatology or orthopaedics.
