When you are planning a longer stay in a non-European country you will have to get a health insurance plan for that country. To avoid double payment, you are probably thinking about canceling your German public health insurance.
But this might cause several disadvantages upon your return to Germany:
You might not be able to choose your provider freely.
Laws might change and you might no longer be eligible for public health insurance.
You might not be able to receive long-term care insurance benefits if you haven't completed the pre-insurance period.
As a pensioner, you might not be eligible for health insurance for pensioners if you haven't completed the pre-insurance period.
To avoid that, check out the possibility to request an "Anwartschaftsversicherung", i.e. to pause your insurance.
For whom is it possible to request an "Anwartschaftsversicherung"?
Employees of international organizations
Persons entitled to medical care
Development workers
Soldiers
Voluntarily insured persons who live abroad for professional reasons
Family members who accompany their spouses/life partners or one of their parents working abroad
Anyone who is staying abroad longer than 3 months for private reasons
Who or what is excluded?
Stays in any country of the EU or EEA
Employees sent abroad temporarily by their company
Members with dependents who are remaining in Germany
What are the costs?
The costs may differ slightly depending on the provider.
As an example, these are the costs for TK:
Monthly contribution for health insurance 51,98 EUR
Monthly contribution for long-term insurance
– for members without kids 11,19 EUR
– for members with kids 10,03 EUR
Take into account that you won't be able to benefit from your health insurance while you are on an Anwartschaftversicherung. You will have to sign up for additional health insurance which covers you and your dependents abroad and during visits to Germany.