Can you exppain how healthcare works when there is no NHS?

[YoniBottsBumgina]

We're moving to Germany in the summer and I've just realised I'm totally clueless I just assumed that you got insurance and then the insurance covered everything. But then I was watching a film last night where the characters got a bill from the ER. DP says it's different in the US and reckons that health insurance works morel. Like pet insurance, so it doesn't cover your standard check ups, vaccinations etc, and there's some kind of excess fee so if your bill is lower than this you just pay it.

Can anyone explain how it actually does work rather than guessing? All I know is the NHS and I suppose have taken it for granted, I suddenly feel very ignorant.

I have used this website for info on other countries, I'm sure you could find some relevant info on it germany.angloinfo.com/

Thanks, but that just gas information on the different types of insurance rather than explaining how health insurance works to someone who is totally clueless! :)

Thank you for the link anyway as it looks useful. I'll probably repost this thread in living overseas.

I lived in Germany for many years. Their Health system, works on an insurance contribution % of your salary. It is a wonderful system and Specialists have Monday-Friday , 9-5 opening hours along every high street and even in rural market towns.

They are not attached to hospitals, and you can find them in the Yellow Pages. You get an appt at the latest in a week and often the next day.

They also have 48 hours of weekends covered and bank Holidays.
I saw phoned my Gyny on Xmas day and saw her on Boxing day. They also have a stock of medication.

Dentist treatment is all free, although it may have changed slightly since Frau Merkel came into office as their Chancellor.