Refund of unused health insurance contributions

Refund of unused health insurance payments after death

What can be claimed? And how to apply with GKV and PKV?

After a person insured in Germany passes away, the family or heirs often ask:
Can the health insurance premiums that were paid in advance be refunded? And what happens to amounts that were not “used”?
Whether the deceased was insured under the statutory health insurance scheme (GKV) or private health insurance (PKV), the possibility of a refund depends on the type of insurance, the time of death and the kind of payment made.

This article explains which amounts can be claimed back and describes the practical steps for submitting a request.

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1. Can money be refunded from statutory health insurance (GKV)?

In the statutory system, there is no general right to a refund of monthly premiums, even if the insured person did not use any services.
This is because the GKV is based on the principle of solidarity, not on an individual balance or savings account.

However, after the death of the insured person, the following situations are relevant:

Claims are submitted by the heirs, who must prove the death and provide the membership number of the deceased.

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2. What about private health insurance (PKV)?

In private health insurance (PKV), the rules are different and often more flexible. Typically, it may be possible to:

• get a partial refund of premiums paid in advance after the death,

• especially if the insured person paid for several months or a whole year upfront.

However:

• Conditions vary from one insurer to another.

• A formal written request must be submitted, including:

  • the death certificate,

  • proof of heirship (e.g. certificate of inheritance – Erbschein) or a notarised power of attorney (Vollmacht).

Some PKV providers also reimburse end-of-life care costs or expensive treatments that were paid out of pocket by the family if these were covered under the policy but not yet settled before the insured person died.

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3. What are the steps for submitting a refund request?

For both GKV and PKV, the basic procedure is similar:

1. Write a formal letter to the health insurance provider

   • briefly explain that the insured person has died and which amounts you are asking to be checked or refunded.

2. Attach the death certificate (Sterbeurkunde)

3. Provide the membership number or a copy of the old health insurance card

4. State the bank account details for the refund payment

5. If required, attach:

   • a certificate of inheritance (Erbschein), or

   • a certified power of attorney, if one person acts on behalf of all heirs.

It is advisable to submit the application within about 6 months after the death, in order to avoid any issues with deadlines or limitation periods.

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4. Are there any other amounts that can be claimed?

Yes, depending on the individual case, claims may also include:

• Prepaid amounts for medical services that were ultimately not used,

• Medicines or medical equipment paid in cash but not yet submitted to the insurer,

• Premiums for supplementary insurance (e.g. dental insurance – Zahnzusatzversicherung) where coverage formally started, but no real coverage period or benefit was used.

In all such cases, it is important to provide:

• original invoices, and

• proof of payment (bank statements, receipts).

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5. Important practical notes

• If premiums are paid monthly and the insured person dies in the middle of the month, there is normally no proportional refund for that month – only contributions debited after the date of death can be reclaimed.

• Contractually agreed “no-claims bonuses” (Beitragsrückerstattung) usually cannot be claimed after death, unless the policy explicitly provides for this situation.

• Insurers typically pay refunds only to legally entitled heirs or to persons with a valid legal authorisation.

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Conclusion

In principle, health insurance premiums that were wrongly charged after death or prepaid for a period after death can be reclaimed – both in GKV and PKV – provided that:

• the death is documented with an official death certificate,

• a formal request is submitted,

• and the necessary legal documents (certificate of inheritance, power of attorney, bank details) are enclosed.

The refunded amount may not be very large, but it is still a legitimate financial right that heirs should not overlook.

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The editorial team of this website aims to provide accurate information based on thorough research and multiple sources. However, errors or uncertainties may still occur. Please regard this article as an initial guide and always consult the relevant authorities or professional advisors for binding information.