What is the difference between statutory and private health insurance?
In the statutory health insurance (GKV) system, you pay monthly contributions to your health insurance provider. In return, you receive an insurance card which you can always use to see a doctor free of charge.
For some medical services, you may need to pay part of the costs or even the entire treatment yourself. The doctor must inform you about this beforehand. You will then have the choice of paying for the service yourself or of doing without.
In the private health insurance (PKV) system you need to pay the medical bills yourself first. But you will usually get most of the money back from the health insurance provider later.