Long read. TLDR; they will not cover medically necessary treatment and their customer service is abysmal.
They are as bad, if not worse than American insurance companies. When I first arrived in Germany and I needed ti find a doctor to write a Krankmeldung, because I didn't yet have a regular doctor here, I called the English hotline and was told they would not speak English with me. I do speak German, but am nervous about speaking German on tje phone bc my hearing isn't great. The person proceeded to be rude and ask me, so what do you want me to do? Like, iDK, answer my questions?
Then, I asked them to cover a medication that I was taking for more than a year in the US--covered by insurance there, mind you, and they wouldn't because I use it "off label" to control pain and inflammation associated with a medical condition i have. I cannot afford tompay for it out of pocket as it is €460/month and I took a substantial pay-cut coming here.
I then went to see two specialists, who reconfirmed my diagnosis and strongly recommended surgery for my condition, because it is beginning to impact my mobility, but I guess Barmer would prefer that I become immobile first.
My ability to work is suffering, bc I cannot stand for long periods without pain and I have to occasionally make presentations. And I am constantly distracted by pain, because even getting up from a chair after sitting for an hour to work, is excruciating. But, they don't care; they just will take your money and hour employer's money and put it in their pockets.
I can no longer exercise because of the pain, which makes my condition worse. i am a person who used to swim competitively and run 10ks regularly and half marathons as well. Even walking a mile now is impossible without pain.
Take your business elsewhere, whether you are considering gesetzlich or private. In 8 months since not being able to control my condition since moving here, my quality of life has deteriorated so substantially that I am considering moving back to the USA. But before I do that, I will be taking my business elsewhere. read more
