Types of hospital services
In Germany, hospital services are categorized into two types: General and Optional.
General hospital services cover essential medical treatment, ensuring you receive the necessary care for your condition. These services are billed according to the official Hospital Fees Act (KHEntgG) and Nursing Fees Ordinance (BPflV).
Optional hospital services, as the name suggests, go beyond the standard level of care. These additional services include, but are not limited to:
Treatment by a head physician
Private (one-bed) or semi-private (two-bed) rooms
Gourmet or customized meals
Enhanced comfort (room size, location)
Additional amenities (TV, internet connection)
Since optional services are considered private treatments, they are typically billed according to the official fee schedule for doctors. Your hospital invoice may also include a note indicating 'Wahlarzt' (elective doctor) or 'Wahlleistung' (elective services).
Hospitals must obtain explicit consent from the patient for optional services. This is usually done through a written agreement (Wahlleistungsvereinbarung) to ensure you understand the scope and costs.
Your hospital coverage at a glance
Please review your full coverage table in your Feather account to understand the specifics of your plan. This is necessary before a hospital stay to ensure you to maximize your insurance benefits.
For long-term policies purchased before March 2023, please refer directly to the full coverage table in your Feather account.
Plan | General services | Optional services |
Short-term standard | ✅ | ❌ |
Short-term premium | ✅ | ✅ |
Long-term standard | ✅ | ❌ |
Long-term plus | ✅ | ✅ |
Long-term premium | ✅ | ✅ |