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Barmenia Private Health Insurance
- English Support: Limited
- Digital App / Claims Handling: Available via customer portal and digital services
- Best For: Expats who prefer configurable coverage with optional add-ons and targeted solutions, such as plans for international professionals
Barmenia Private Health Insurance – Company Overview
Barmenia Private Health Insurance is part of the BarmeniaGothaer Group, a long-established German insurer with a broad product portfolio across health, life, and general insurance. Within this structure, private health insurance is positioned as a flexible system that combines predefined core tariffs with optional add-on modules.
Outpatient and inpatient care are included in the main plans, while selected areas, such as dental coverage and sick pay, can be added separately. This approach allows policyholders to adapt coverage to their individual needs without relying on a fully modular system.
In addition, Barmenia offers a range of supplementary products and targeted solutions, including dedicated insurance options for international professionals and separate add-ons for telemedicine and other specific services.
Key Health Insurance Tariffs
Barmenia offers private health insurance under 3 different coverage concepts, from entry-level protection to premium, individually configurable solutions.
Across the main tariffs, outpatient services include direct access to specialists, preventive care, psychotherapy, and alternative treatments. Inpatient coverage can be configured to a high level, including single-room accommodation and treatment by the chief physician. Reimbursement levels may exceed standard fee schedules, indicating a higher level of medical coverage depending on the selected plan.
Key differences between tariff levels concern reimbursement rates, service scope, and the extent of additional benefits. While core medical treatment is covered within the main plans, important elements such as dental coverage and sick pay (Krankentagegeld) are not included by default and must be selected separately.
Coverage for temporary stays abroad is generally included within the core tariffs, with additional options available for extended or more specialized international protection.
Overall, Barmenia’s tariff structure combines predefined core coverage with selective modular elements, offering flexibility while still requiring active configuration by the policyholder. Telemedicine is also available as an optional add-on rather than being integrated into the core tariffs.
Health Insurance for International Professionals
Barmenia offers a dedicated solution for international professionals with the MediHealth Prime tariff. This plan is designed for expats staying in Germany for a limited period, typically for up to 5 years.
MediHealth Prime combines comprehensive outpatient, inpatient, and dental benefits within a single plan. Coverage includes full reimbursement for many medical services, access to specialist treatment, and enhanced hospital care, such as single or double room accommodation and treatment by the chief physician. Preventive services, vision benefits with fixed allowances, and a high level of dental coverage are also included.
A key feature is immediate access to benefits without waiting periods, making the plan particularly suitable for newly arriving professionals. In addition, services such as telemedicine consultations and digital appointment scheduling are available, helping people access healthcare in everyday situations. The plan is also recognized as valid health insurance for visa applications.
Overall, MediHealth Prime provides a simplified, expat-oriented alternative to more complex private health insurance structures.
Expat Reality Check
- Flexible Structure: Core tariffs cover outpatient and inpatient care, with optional add-ons for more specific needs
- High Coverage Potential: Premium configurations allow extensive benefits, including treatment beyond standard fee schedules
- No Referral Requirement: Direct access to specialists without a primary care restriction
- International Options Available: Extended international coverage is available through additional arrangements, alongside a dedicated expat health insurance solution (MediHealth Prime) that offers comprehensive coverage for stays of up to 5 years.
- Digital Services: Customer portal and telemedicine options support access and administration
- Modular Complexity: Key elements such as dental coverage and sick pay must be selected separately
- No Integrated Setup: Important features are not included by default and require active configuration
- Less Intuitive for Expats: Compared to more structured or integrated systems, the setup may be harder to navigate
- Telemedicine Not Included: Only available as a separate add-on rather than part of the core tariffs
- International Coverage Not Clearly Defined: Details on long-term coverage outside Germany depend on additional arrangements
Dental and Vision Coverage
Dental coverage in Barmenia Private Health Insurance is not automatically included in all core tariffs but can be added as a separate module. Depending on the selected configuration, preventive and conservative dental treatments can be covered at up to 100%, while reimbursement for dental prosthetics may reach around 90% in higher-level plans.
For statutorily insured individuals, Barmenia offers dental supplementary insurance tariffs, including Smile 75, Smile 85, and Mehr Zahn 100. These plans follow a tiered structure with reimbursement levels ranging from 75% to 100% for dental prosthetics. A key feature is the absence of waiting periods, allowing immediate access to benefits, although reimbursement is subject to defined limits during the first years of the contract.
Vision benefits are included within the private health insurance tariffs, with fixed allowances for glasses and contact lenses depending on the selected plan. Additional coverage for procedures such as LASIK may be available in more comprehensive configurations.
Barmenia also offers supplementary products related to vision and outpatient care, including specialized add-ons for visual aids and eye treatments, which can be taken out by those insured under the statutory system.
Alternatives to Barmenia Private Health Insurance
Traditional private health insurers differ in how they combine structured core tariffs with optional add-ons, as well as in the level of flexibility available within their plans.
- Allianz: Flexible, modular structure with extensive options for tailoring coverage
- AXA: Integrated tariff design with a more predefined benefit structure
- DKV: Broad medical coverage with a strong focus on traditional private health insurance
Digital providers emphasize simplified access, English-language support, and fully digital processes across application and policy management.
- ottonova: Fully digital provider with app-based management and integrated services such as telemedicine
- Feather: Simplified access for expats with English-language support and straightforward plan structures
- Getsafe: Mobile-first insurer offering streamlined products and easy onboarding
Barmenia positions itself between these approaches, combining structured core tariffs with optional add-ons rather than offering a fully integrated or purely digital model.
Conclusion
Barmenia Private Health Insurance combines structured core tariffs with optional modules. Outpatient and inpatient care are included in the main plans, while dental coverage and sick pay must be added separately.
This setup offers flexibility and strong coverage potential but requires more active configuration than more integrated systems. Additional options, such as dedicated plans for international professionals and extended international coverage, broaden its range of use cases.
Barmenia is particularly suitable for expats who want to tailor their coverage, while those looking for a simpler, fully integrated solution may find other providers more straightforward.
Frequently Asked Questions
How flexible is Barmenia’s private health insurance?
Barmenia follows a partially modular approach. Core tariffs include outpatient and inpatient care, while elements such as dental coverage and sick pay can be added separately. This allows for flexible customization but requires more active decision-making compared to fully integrated plans.
Does Barmenia include sick pay (Krankentagegeld)?
No, sick pay is not part of the standard tariffs. It must be selected as an additional module, which is particularly important for self-employed individuals who need income protection during periods of illness.
Is Barmenia suitable for expats?
Barmenia may be suitable for expats who want to tailor their coverage. In addition to standard private health insurance, the MediHealth Prime tariff offers a simplified solution for international professionals, providing comprehensive coverage for stays of up to five years and meeting typical visa requirements.
42119 Wuppertal