What are Germany’s statutory health benefits, and what do they cover?
Germany has a very robust healthcare system and every employee has the right to receive coverage through this system.
Statutory health insurance covers inpatient and outpatient hospital services, prescription medicine, rehabilitation, nursing care, pregnancy and childbirth care, and dental care, among other coverages.
What health benefits do most employers offer?
In Germany it is not common to offer any kind of supplementary health benefit, unless an employee is very highly compensated, or specifically requests it.
If you choose to offer your supported employee supplementary health benefits, an allowance is the best option for most supported employees (especially local nationals).
If a supported employee is earning enough to join private health insurance and would like to do so, we recommend that the supported employee check the certificate of contribution to see the amount that they need to pay, and then decide based on this how much the allowance should be.
Many supported employees who want to join a private health insurance plan have been members of that plan before and likely have this certificate on hand, which they can easily furnish. We can accommodate deducting the health contribution directly from the supported employee’s salary based upon presentation of the required documents.
How does an employee’s salary or level of seniority affect what benefits employers offer them?
Generally, age and seniority make no difference in the benefits offered to employees. However, if an employee earns less than the contribution assessment ceiling (this amount changes each year), then they must be a part of the social security system.
If an employee earns more, then they have the choice to join private health and care insurance (there is no option to leave the pension or unemployment insurances). Health costs are split with the employer up to the assessment limit.
In the case where an employee chooses private health insurance, it is common that the employer continues to pay for at least half of the cost, but it is not mandatory. If an employee earns more than the assessment limit but stays on public health insurance, then they pay only up to the limit. The income above that amount is not subject to healthcare costs.
What does Velocity Global’s MSH plan offer?
The MSH Basic and Standard medical plans are designed for local nationals to use as top-up coverage to their country's national health system. The Basic and Standard plans have international coverage based on the area of enrollment (2 or 3). Benefits include inpatient, outpatient, maternity, wellness, dental, vision, travel emergency, and EAP. Overall annual plan coverage is provided up to a limit of $1 million. Unexpected illness or injury is covered on a worldwide basis, regardless of the subscribed geographic zone of cover.
