Remedies (Heilmittel) are doctor-prescribed therapies carried out by non-doctor medical professionals, such as physiotherapy, speech therapy, podiatry, occupational therapy, and nutritional therapy. Private health insurance (PKV) reimburses remedies when the treatment addresses an illness or physical impairment, a medical doctor prescribed or referred it, and a registered therapist provides it. Each Private health insurance (PKV) plan reimburses remedies only up to a set amount, and you pay any difference if your therapist charges more. You can check your plan's coverage table in your Feather account, or submit a cost plan before treatment to have the reimbursable amount confirmed in advance.
What are remedies (Heilmittel) in private health insurance?
Remedies, called Heilmittel in German, are therapies and treatments that a doctor prescribes and that a non-doctor medical professional or therapist then carries out. Private health insurance (PKV) covers remedies as a benefit category separate from medication and medical aids. The term covers a defined set of prescribed therapies rather than any treatment a therapist offers.
Which remedies does private health insurance cover?
Private health insurance (PKV) covers the following remedy categories:
Physiotherapy, including massages, heat and cold therapy, and medicinal baths.
Speech therapy for fluency, phonation, or language comprehension issues.
Podiatry, meaning medical foot care, which is often prescribed for conditions such as diabetes.
Occupational therapy, called ergotherapy, which is prescribed to promote independence in daily activities.
Nutritional therapy, which supports dietary changes that are necessary because of an illness.
What requirements must be met for remedies to be reimbursed?
Private health insurance (PKV) reimburses a remedy only when all of the following conditions are met:
The remedy treats or relieves an illness or a physical impairment.
A medical doctor prescribed the remedy or referred you for it.
A registered therapist or medical professional who is not a doctor provides the treatment.
Is there a limit on how much private health insurance reimburses for remedies?
Yes. Each Private health insurance (PKV) plan reimburses remedies only up to a set amount, and that amount differs between the Short-term, Standard, Plus, and Premium plans. If your therapist charges more than your plan's limit, you pay the difference yourself.
How can I check my remedy reimbursement limit before treatment starts?
You can confirm what your Private health insurance (PKV) plan reimburses before you begin treatment by following these steps:
Open the full coverage table in your Feather account to see the remedy limit that applies to your plan.
Ask your therapist to confirm their rates for the prescribed treatment.
Submit a cost plan in your online account before treatment begins, so the reimbursable amount is confirmed in advance.
You can contact our support team for more assistance or additional resources.