Public health insurance (GKV) and Private health insurance (PKV) both cover the standard medical care of a pregnancy in Germany: an initial pregnancy check, routine monitoring, 3 ultrasound exams, a gestational diabetes screening, birth preparation with a midwife, the birth itself, and postnatal midwife care. Both cover additional ultrasound exams when they are medically necessary and recommended by your doctor, and both cover the birth in a multi-bed hospital room, at home with a midwife, or at a birth center. Our Private health insurance (PKV) Standard, Plus, and Premium plans add comprehensive infection screening, advanced genetic testing, and enhanced monitoring, and some Private health insurance (PKV) plans also cover a single hospital room and a budget for additional birth preparation. Neither type of insurance covers prenatal yoga, doulas, dietary supplements, a partner's birth preparation course, or a partner's hospital stay.
What pregnancy check-ups and tests are covered by Public health insurance and Private health insurance?
Public health insurance (GKV) and Private health insurance (PKV) both cover the standard medical care of a pregnancy in Germany, following the German maternity guidelines (Mutterschaftsrichtlinien) issued by the Federal Joint Committee (Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss, or G-BA). The covered check-ups and tests are:
An initial pregnancy check with a physical exam, plus urine and blood tests for HIV, syphilis, rubella immunity, chlamydia, and blood group.
Routine monitoring of blood pressure, urine, and weight.
A gestational diabetes screening in weeks 24–28.
Fetal heart rate monitoring (CTG), when it is medically necessary.
The full schedule of examinations is published on frauenaerzte-im-netz.de, in German. The schedule is set by the G-BA rather than by your policy, so it can change independently of your plan.
How many ultrasound scans are covered during pregnancy?
Public health insurance (GKV) and Private health insurance (PKV) both cover 3 routine ultrasound exams during a pregnancy: one in weeks 9–12, one in weeks 19–22, and one in weeks 29–32. Both also cover additional ultrasound exams beyond those 3 when they are medically necessary and recommended by your doctor. Our Private health insurance (PKV) Standard, Plus, and Premium plans additionally cover enhanced monitoring, including Doppler and duplex sonography and fetal monitoring (tokography).
What midwife support and birth preparation are covered before and after the birth?
Public health insurance (GKV) and Private health insurance (PKV) both cover midwife support before and after the birth. The covered support is:
14 hours of birth preparation with a midwife before the birth.
20 midwife visits in the first 10 days after the birth, and 16 further visits until week 12.
10 hours of postnatal exercise within 9 months after the birth.
Some Private health insurance plans also cover a budget of up to €4,000 per year for additional birth preparation and postnatal exercise.
Where can I give birth, and which type of hospital room is covered?
Public health insurance (GKV) and Private health insurance (PKV) both cover maternity and obstetric care at the location you choose: a multi-bed room in a hospital, at home with the help of a midwife, or at a birth center. Some Private health insurance plans also cover a single room during a hospital birth.
Which additional pregnancy screenings and tests are covered by Private health insurance?
Our Private health insurance (PKV) Standard, Plus, and Premium plans cover prenatal screenings and diagnostics beyond the care that Public health insurance (GKV) and Private health insurance (PKV) both include. These additional benefits are comprehensive infection screening, advanced genetic testing and counseling, non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) up to €495, and chorionic villus sampling (CVS), when medically necessary and recommended. Public health insurance (GKV) also covers NIPT if it is medically necessary and recommended. Our Private health insurance (PKV) Short-term plan covers the same pregnancy check-ups as Public health insurance (GKV) and does not include these additional screenings.
For the full list of screenings, which plans include them, and how NIPT is reimbursed, see our article on prenatal screening and diagnostics covered by Private health insurance (PKV).
Coverage limits and included services vary by plan. Always refer to the terms and conditions of your specific policy, which you can find in your Feather account.
Which pregnancy-related services are not covered by Public health insurance or Private health insurance?
Public health insurance (GKV) and Private health insurance (PKV) both exclude the following services:
Prenatal yoga.
Doulas.
Dietary supplements, such as folic acid and vitamins.
A birth preparation course for a partner, although some public health insurance providers offer a yearly budget for one.
A partner's hospital stay during the birth.
How can I check which pregnancy benefits my own plan includes?
The exact pregnancy benefits depend on the plan you hold, and the benefits included in a specific policy are listed in that policy's coverage details. You can contact our support team for more assistance or additional resources.