The AOK (Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse) is one of the oldest and largest statutory health insurance funds in Germany. It insures around 27 million people, which corresponds to roughly one third of the country’s population. (de.wikipedia.org)
Historical overview
Founding: The AOK was founded in 1884, one year after the introduction of compulsory health insurance in Germany, making it one of the oldest health insurers in the country.
Organisational structure: The AOK consists of 11 independent regional AOK funds that operate in different federal states and together run more than 1,200 local offices.
Services and benefits
Basic coverage
Medical treatment: Includes doctor visits, in-patient hospital stays, prescription medicines and physiotherapy.
Preventive care: Covers preventive check-ups, such as cancer screening and regular paediatric check-ups for children.
Vaccinations: Covers all recommended standard vaccinations, including many travel vaccinations.
Family coverage: Offers free family insurance for dependants without their own income under the statutory family insurance scheme.
Additional benefits
Bonus programme: AOK rewards members who actively take care of their health – for example by attending preventive check-ups or doing regular sports – with cash bonuses or similar rewards.
Health courses: AOK provides health vouchers that enable members to attend up to two certified health courses per year free of charge, in areas such as fitness, relaxation techniques and nutrition.
Digital services: AOK offers a mobile app for managing insurance matters, video consultations with doctors and a secure electronic health record.
Support for international students
Student health insurance: AOK offers discounted health insurance for students, with contributions typically ranging between €130.73 and €153.22 per month, usually valid up to the age of 30 or until the end of the 14th semester.
Dedicated services: Through the “AOK Student-Service”, AOK operates in more than 70 locations in Germany, with advisers who speak English and other languages, helping international students with insurance questions.
International coverage: AOK student health insurance generally includes cover during studies in Germany as well as temporary stays in EU countries, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, the United Kingdom and Iceland. (studying-in-germany.org, aok.de, mawista.com)
Contributions and costs
Basic contribution rate: The general contribution rate to statutory health insurance is 14.6% of gross income.
Additional contribution (Zusatzbeitrag): Each regional AOK sets its own additional contribution rate. For example, it is 2.69% at AOK Bayern and 2.6% at AOK Baden-Württemberg.
Cost sharing: Contributions are shared between employee and employer according to statutory rules. (de.wikipedia.org)
Summary of benefits
Number of members: Around 27 million insured persons.
Family coverage: Free coverage for family members without their own income.
Health bonuses: Cash rewards and other benefits for health-conscious behaviour and preventive activities.
Health courses: Up to two free health courses per year.
Digital services: Insurance app, video consultations and a digital health record.
Support for international students: Special services for students and international coverage in several European countries.
For more information or to join AOK, you can visit the official website: www.aok.de
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