Since January 2025, public health insurance in Germany (GKV) has started covering high-quality composite fillings for front teeth. These fillings are now billed through public insurance, so Feather dental insurance no longer reimburses them. Patients should check billing with their dentist to avoid unexpected costs.
What changed in 2025 regarding public health insurance coverage for front-tooth fillings in Germany?
Since January 2025, German public health insurance (GKV) includes coverage for high-quality composite fillings on front teeth, specifically incisors and canines. This change follows the EU-wide ban on amalgam as a filling material.
How does this change affect payment when getting a filling on a front tooth?
If you receive a filling on a front tooth (incisor or canine), your dentist should bill the treatment directly to your public health insurance. In most cases, you should not have to pay out of pocket for this treatment.
How does the 2025 change affect reimbursement from dental insurance plans?
These front-tooth composite fillings are now part of the public insurance benefits, so they are no longer reimbursable under supplemental dental insurance plans like those offered by Feather. Private billing for front-tooth fillings for cosmetic reasons, such as multicolor composite techniques, is considered aesthetic and is not covered by dental insurance.
What steps can patients take to manage billing and avoid unexpected costs?
Ask your dentist in advance if the front-tooth filling treatment will be billed through public health insurance.
Review your invoice carefully for any private billing related to front-tooth fillings.
If you see private charges, ask your dentist why the billing was not done via public insurance and whether it complies with GKV rules.
Understand that any additional costs from cosmetic techniques like multicolor fillings are not reimbursed by insurance.
We provide this information to help you avoid unexpected medical bills and prepare informed discussions with your dentist regarding treatment billing.