A Benefit Many Policyholders Underuse
One distinctive feature of German private health insurance (private Krankenversicherung, PKV) is that many tariffs reimburse treatment by a Heilpraktiker — a state-licensed non-medical practitioner — as well as a range of complementary and alternative therapies. Statutory insurance (GKV) generally covers little of this, so it is an area where PKV can offer something extra.
What may be covered: naturopathy (Naturheilkunde), osteopathy, homeopathy, acupuncture and other complementary treatments — typically up to an annual euro limit and subject to your tariff including the benefit.
What Is a Heilpraktiker?
A Heilpraktiker is licensed under the Heilpraktikergesetz to practise certain healing treatments without being a physician. They must pass a state health-authority examination. Because their fees are billed under a separate schedule (the Gebührenverzeichnis für Heilpraktiker, GebüH), tariffs that cover Heilpraktiker treatment usually reimburse against that schedule up to defined limits.
How Cover Is Structured
Alternative-medicine cover in PKV is usually capped rather than open-ended:
| Element | What to check |
|---|---|
| Annual limit | A euro cap per year (e.g. a few hundred to a few thousand euros) |
| Reimbursement rate | The percentage of the bill covered |
| Fee schedule | Whether it pays GebüH (Heilpraktiker) and/or GOÄ (doctor) rates |
| Eligible therapies | Which methods are listed as reimbursable |
The Hufeland Directory
Many insurers reference the Hufeland directory (Hufelandverzeichnis) — a recognised catalogue of complementary and naturopathic methods — to decide which treatments qualify. If a therapy is listed there and your tariff covers alternative medicine, reimbursement is usually straightforward. Treatments outside the directory may be declined, so it is worth checking before starting an unusual therapy.
Practical Tips
- Confirm your tariff includes the benefit — not all do, and basic tariffs often exclude it
- Check the annual cap so you know how much treatment is covered each year
- Ask whether the method is in the Hufeland directory before booking
- Keep itemised invoices that reference the correct fee schedule
For policyholders who value naturopathic or complementary care, this benefit can be a genuine reason to favour a tariff that includes generous Heilpraktiker cover — but as always, read the limits so your expectations match the contract.
Frequently Asked Questions
Compare PKV Tariffs for Your Situation
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