Health insurance for a non-citizen after kidney transplantation

It is compulsory for all residents in Germany to have German health insurance.

There are two systems: Public and Private. Which one you have to join is complicated and decided by several factors, the most important of which is how you were previously insured (in your home country). You cannot usually choose which one you want to join!

• The Public scheme is based on social solidarity (with rules set by the authorities), costs a percentage of your income (subject to a minimum of approx. 180€/month and a maximum of approx. 800€/month), covers all dependents (kids and spouse) without own income free of charge, pays for most medically necessary treatments and has no exemptions for pre-existing conditions. There are also subsidized rates for students - but I am not sure if those can add dependents free of charge.
• The Private scheme is run by for-profit companies, with fees based on your risk profile (with older and less healthy people having to pay more) an the chosen tariff (there are many different levels of coverage to choose from), but independent of income. The insurers can (and usually do) exempt pre-existing conditions from coverage, or add hefty surcharges for them. You also cannot add dependents.

So here is what you should do:

1. Find out if your own insurance is Public or Private.
2. If Public, ask them whether you can addyour husband as dependent. If so, do that!
3. If Private, find out whether your husband can join the Public scheme. If so, do that!
4. If not, prepare for high fees or an exemption for treatment of his existing illness. This can cost enough to make the whole plan financially inviable. (Sorry!)

@drummond76

***