2024-05-03 23:27:00
Heinz Hoenig urgently needs heart surgery. But apparently the actor does not have health insurance. What happens in such a case.
Germany fears for Heinz Hoenig. The actor was admitted to a Berlin hospital on Tuesday with heart problems, apparently received a stent and is now waiting in the intensive care unit for an emergency operation.
The problem: Hoenig doesn’t seem to have health insurance. His family has appealed for donations for the vital operation. It is a “higher six-figure sum” that Hoenig cannot afford at the moment. Read more here.
But what happens in such a case? How is it possible for someone to not have health insurance? Can the celebrity have surgery without insurance? And who will cover the costs of the operation? The most important questions at a glance.
Without health insurance – is that possible?
Actually not. Having health insurance is mandatory in Germany. For example, employees are compulsory members of statutory health insurance up to a certain income. High earners and self-employed people can alternatively take out private health insurance.
Even those who do not work and do not earn any income must have health insurance. Such people can be insured through their spouse, for example. The state pays the insurance contributions for people who receive unemployment benefits.
Nevertheless, according to the microcensus, there are around 0.1 percent of the population – around 61,000 people – without health insurance. Researchers even assume higher numbers because homeless people, for example, are underrepresented in the survey.
Who doesn’t have health insurance?
Many of the people who do not have health insurance are not included in the social system. This applies, for example, to people without a permanent residence, EU citizens who are not employed subject to social security contributions or people without a residence permit. However, it can also affect people who owe contributions after bankruptcy or due to serious financial problems.
The problem: If you are permanently unable to pay premiums, your health insurance coverage will expire or be paused. And a vicious circle begins: the outstanding contributions are not waived, but offset. If you want to insure yourself again later, you have to pay additional payments, at least for the last four years. And that’s exactly what many of those affected often fail to do – and thus remain permanently without health insurance.
Payment will be made in case of an emergency
Anyone who does not have health insurance coverage is entitled to emergency treatment. The treating hospital then usually contacts the social welfare office. An emergency is considered to be if you are suffering from severe pain or have a life-threatening illness.