Waiting period in health insurance

Once your private insurance provider has approved your application, you will have to serve a waiting period before you can make any claims. This might seem odd at first, but there is a good explanation for it.

Is there a waiting period before I can claim?

A lot of private health insurances have a waiting period (Wartezeit) before you can claim extensive and expensive treatments such as psychotherapy or orthodontics. They will only be covered once the waiting period has elapsed. As a general rule, this waiting period can last between three months (standard) to eight months (optional waiting period). (However, if you suffer an accident during this period, your treatment is likely to be covered.)

But not with ottonova: With our expat tariff there are no waiting times. 

However, we have payment limits for certain services in the first few years. For example for dentures or surgical visual correction ("laser eyes"). It's a mechanism to prevent a new policyholder from fully claiming for expensive treatment for a pre-existing condition immediately after joining.

Once the limitation period is over you can enjoy full coverage and the full scope of benefits included in your tariff.


How can I find out how long the coverage of special treatments is limited?

If you would like to find out more about ottonova’s special Expat tariff and discuss your individual circumstances, why not book a personal consultation with one of our English-speaking insurance experts?

FAQ

The process to get your finalized contract typically takes from an hour to 14 days. It depends on the individual case. You first have to submit an application for a tariff (including answers regarding your health status). After we checked your application you will receive your final contract.

If you have questions, feel free to book a non-binding consultation. Our sales team is happy to assist you during that process.

We reimburse psychotherapy with no yearly session limit, contrary to most other insurance providers.

  • Expat tariff: 75% reimbursement pers session
  • Premium Economy tariff: 75% for a maximum of 50 sessions
  • Business Class tariff: 90% reimbursement per session for session 1-25 and after that 75% reimbursement per session
  • First Class tariff: 90% reimbursement per session for session 1-50, and 75% reimbursement after session 50

If you are eligible for private health insurance and you are in Germany on a visa or a limited permit, we can offer you the Expat Tariff up to five years.

Interested in private health insurance in Germany?

We help you to find the best tariff.

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