Possible to keep public insurance if one (30+, pre-existing condition) goes from working for 1-2 years to university?

[snotnose 2]

Hopefully my question makes sense! I'm an American and have only just realized it's nearly impossible to get health insurance coverage as a 30-year-old student with a pre-existing condition (although it's stabilized.) From what I'm reading, the Basistarif is an option, but I'm not 100% clear on if this is both very expensive and provides adequate coverage, or just expensive. To be honest, it is still cheaper than going to school in the US would be.

I was wondering if a possible work around would be to work for 1-2 years (or more? Not sure if there's an established rule) first, which would allow me to get public coverage - but would that coverage be upheld if I decided to become a student? How easy is it for public insurance to be revoked?

Would really appreciate any guidance. This is something I've been working towards for a long time and am very crushed to realize it might not come to fruition. Contacted a couple of brokers known on the forum so going that route, as well.

[john g. 37,695]

Good morning, snotnose! 

Some points: what do you mean by " student?"

University student or eg learning German at a language school?

The Basistarif is NOT a realistic option. Apart from the fact that it costs over 800 euros a month, try getting into it as an American with no insurance history in Germany! You would need a good and expensive lawyer! The insurers would fight tooth and nail not to let you in.

 

Another way to look at it- how much a month does your current medication cost? Less than 800 euros a month?

 

What is your residence status? If you are allowed to work and actually get an employee job earning OVER 450 euros a month, then you can and must join public insurance with no medical declaration required. That would be perfect. If your later status changes, it doesn't matter. You could stay in public insurance.

 

If not allowed to work- your best bet would be a legally acceptable private international insurance ( not expensive at your age ) and by dint of which you would have some change left over to pay for your current medication. ( Pre-existing conditions would be excluded).

I am a professional independent insurance broker and authorised advertiser. Contact me.

[john g. 37,695]

I have just taken the liberty of moving this from Newcomers to here, where it belongs!

I am a professional independent insurance broker and authorised advertiser. Contact me.

[snotnose 2]

11 hours ago, john g. said:

Good morning, snotnose! 

Some points: what do you mean by " student?"

University student or eg learning German at a language school?

The Basistarif is NOT a realistic option. Apart from the fact that it costs over 800 euros a month, try getting into it as an American with no insurance history in Germany! You would need a good and expensive lawyer! The insurers would fight tooth and nail not to let you in.

 

Another way to look at it- how much a month does your current medication cost? Less than 800 euros a month?

 

What is your residence status? If you are allowed to work and actually get an employee job earning OVER 450 euros a month, then you can and must join public insurance with no medical declaration required. That would be perfect. If your later status changes, it doesn't matter. You could stay in public insurance.

 

If not allowed to work- your best bet would be a legally acceptable private international insurance ( not expensive at your age ) and by dint of which you would have some change left over to pay for your current medication. ( Pre-existing conditions would be excluded).

I am a professional independent insurance broker and authorised advertiser. Contact me.

A university student I initially planned to do an intensive language program there first, but it looks even trickier to get insured as a language student than as a regular student. I could also do intensive classes online, or if I was working I could take night classes... :/ But once I have my German at a B2.1ish level, the visa would be for a university student.

Oh no! Okay, I had no idea that being from the US might affect the Basistarif, as well. Oy. My medication (for depression) is indeed less than 800 euros, but I also do TMS maintenance, which is a little more niche, but honestly would still probably come out to less than 800 euros. But might not! I think a major issue there is that TMS might sound spooky and weird to insurance companies and prevent coverage.

 

Compared to US prices, the Basistarif doesn't sound horrible, but I might be interpreting things wrong – is the 800e for the Basistarif just the monthly premium cost, with a huge separate deductible on top of that? Or is it 800e/mo total? I will look into Cigna and Aetna (and ALC? I think), though, for international insurance and see if they'll take me. I briefly chatted with someone from Cigna and he said it was very unlikely to be accepted with a pre-existing condition, sadly, but that I should try to apply. (Edit: ah – just realized I read that wrong, and that the insurance can cover you but exclude pre-existing conditions. Which might just work out, actually, should they take me)

I have no residency status as yet, but I will definitely look into this and make sure I can work as a US citizen (it looks like it is possible, from what I've quickly gathered)! I think that answers your question re: visa. If I could get into the public system and stay there, that would be such a huge relief. Thank you so, so much John!

[john g. 37,695]

All international insurances will accept you but exclude your pre-existing conditions. 

What is your current visa situation? How long is your visa valid for? Or are you officially a tourist?

Work: as an American , you need a specific skill  to get an employee job- one an EU citizen couldn't. It is not THAT easy...

 

Basistarif- no specific deductible- though that depends on the treatment/ doctor etc. But don't even try to waste your time on that.

 

International insurance: the provider must be able to offer you support documents: in particular something called a Bescheinigung ( in English and German ), which states your tariff, price and frequency of payment, deductible and valid from ... till ...

This is what you show the Ausländeramt for their approval.

 

This is for non-employees.

I am a professional independent insurance broker and authorised advertiser. Contact me.

[snotnose 2]

Ahhh, okay! That's good to know.
My current visa situation is no visa, I haven't traveled over yet – need to make sure health coverage is at least possible for me on the other side, first! (And, potentially, if I'm learning the language remotely first, it might be a few months. I'm guessing the Language Visa I would be on for ~6 mos. while finishing my language schooling if I did it within Germany would just put me up for the global insurance options?) If I just went straight into the university there, I'm guessing a Student Visa.

I was reading this, but not sure if it's totally reliable: "US citizens are fortunate in that they can apply for a Work Visa with any job, whether it is skilled or unskilled. Whether you work in an office, kitchen, hair salon or restaurant, you can be approved for a Work Visa for Germany." If true, that would be ideal. If not, though, I do currently work at a start-up doing copywriting in English, which there are some job listings for and might qualify as a job an EU citizen couldn't do. Maybe. Hopefully.

International insurance does sound like an attractive option though, considering everything! Thanks so much again

 

Edit: Ah yes, just found the slightly less hopeful bit later in the article I linked, wonder how true it is:

"The Federal Employment Agency also often perform a market priority check. If there are a high number of unemployed local workers in the same field that could technically fill the role, your Work Visa may not be approved.

As an example of the types of jobs that can be approved, we have had participants receive 3-year Work Visas working as kitchen hands (40 hours a week at €11 an hour), customer service representatives (earning €2200 a month) and sales executives (earning €2500 a month)."