Return to the GKV: 83-year-old asks about the new rules!

Return to the GKV: 83-year-old asks about the new rules!

An 83-year-old reader asks the important question of whether she can be accepted back into statutory health insurance (GKV) in Germany after living in the USA for 30 years. This issue is in the context of the existing compulsory insurance in Germany, which also applies to returnees of retirement age. How t-online.de As reported, switching to statutory health insurance is generally no longer possible from the age of 55. However, there are certain conditions under which returnees who were previously legally insured can have access to statutory health insurance again.

Access is provided through so-called safety insurance, which ensures that no one has to live without health insurance. This is regulated in Book Five of the Social Security Code (SGB V). This safety insurance applies if you live in Germany but are not entitled to other insurance in the event of illness. A crucial point is that people who were previously legally insured and have no other insurance coverage are automatically included in the GKV. It does not matter whether the previous insurance was in the form of compulsory, voluntary or family insurance.

Influence of the stay abroad

Returning from abroad has a significant impact on health insurance. Insurance coverage expires if you live permanently abroad and you have to register again with the GKV as soon as you return to Germany from abroad and start an activity that requires insurance. Loud clearing-solutions.com Different regulations apply, depending on whether the return is from an EU/EEA country or a non-EU country.

For returnees from EU/EEA countries and Switzerland, it is possible to receive part of the statutory health insurance protection based on the European social security agreement. Regulation (EC) No. 883/2004 and the S1 form for continued insurance are of central importance here. Returnees from non-EU countries, on the other hand, must expect that their statutory health insurance will be suspended during their stay abroad. In these cases, registration is required again, although bilateral social security agreements may exist.

The return process to the GKV

The process of returning to statutory health insurance requires a few steps. If someone previously had statutory health insurance, they have the right to return to their old health insurance company. The necessary documents include a current registration certificate, the S1 form for returning from EU countries and evidence of previous periods of insurance. It is important that you register within three months of your return, otherwise you may incur additional premium payments.

Special regulations also apply to pensioners, self-employed people, digital nomads and cross-border commuters. Returning pensioners can apply for benefits in Germany using the E121 form. Self-employed people must know that they do not receive automatic access to the statutory health insurance and will only be accepted under certain conditions. Digital nomads must clarify their residency status, while cross-border commuters must provide proof of their primary residence to avoid double insurance.

Contribution calculation and legal basis

Various factors must be taken into account when calculating contributions for the GKV. The basic contribution rate is 14.6% plus an additional contribution for each individual fund. For employees, the contribution is calculated based on actual income. For self-employed people there is a minimum assessment basis of 1,248.33 euros per month, while pensioners are insured based on their statutory pension and other income.

The legal basis for this process is set out in Book V of the Social Code and in EU Regulations 883/2004 and 987/2009. However, returning to the statutory health insurance can also bring challenges, such as late registrations, missing documents or previous illnesses. The German Liaison Office for Health Insurance Abroad (DVKA) offers support, which is why it is advisable to contact the health insurance company at an early stage and prepare all the necessary documents.