Employees who start a job in Germany while insured under Private health insurance (PKV) are required to name a public health insurance provider to their employer. This provider does not cover medical treatment. It only acts as the point through which the employer processes statutory social security contributions such as pension and unemployment insurance. Private health insurance (PKV) remains the actual health coverage, and naming a public provider does not switch you to Public health insurance (GKV).
Why do employees with Private health insurance (PKV) have to choose a public health insurance provider in Germany?
Employees who start a job in Germany while covered by Private health insurance (PKV) are required to name a public health insurance provider to their employer. German employers are legally obliged to process social security payments, such as pension and unemployment insurance, through a public health insurance provider. The provider named for this purpose administers those contributions and does not provide the employee's medical coverage.
What is the difference between Private health insurance (PKV) and the public health insurance provider named for social security?
The two serve separate functions for an employee in Germany.
Private health insurance (PKV) is the employee's actual health coverage and pays for medical treatment.
The public health insurance provider named to the employer does not cover any medical treatment, and instead handles the employee's social security contributions.
Does naming a public health insurance provider mean I switch to Public health insurance (GKV)?
No. Naming a public health insurance provider for social security contributions does not change the employee's health coverage. Private health insurance (PKV) remains the policy that pays for medical treatment, and the public provider's role is limited to processing social security contributions through the employer.
How do I choose a public health insurance provider for my social security contributions?
Follow these steps.
Decide which public health insurance provider you want named for your social security contributions. Common providers in Germany include TK, AOK, BARMER, and DAK.
Tell your employer the name of the provider you chose.
Leave the rest to your employer, who then processes all related social security payments automatically.
Do I need to do anything after telling my employer which public health insurance provider to use?
No further action is required from the employee. Once the employer has the name of the public health insurance provider, the employer processes the related social security payments automatically. Private health insurance (PKV) continues unchanged and is billed separately as the employee's health coverage.