GKV-Ranking: Zusatzleistungen: Hier gibt es die höchsten Zuschüsse für Zähne und Rücken

Düsseldorf - A former equestrian, Ute Schrader, overcame vertigo following a skiing accident through osteopathic treatment, which dramatically improved her condition within just two sessions. Schrader, now a member of the board for the German Osteopathic Foundation, noted that osteopathy offers a beneficial alternative to conventional medicine, allowing individuals to assess and choose whether it improves their wellbeing.

In a healthcare system where knee, hip, and back surgeries are frequently performed, osteopathy could provide a more gentle and cost-effective solution. This voluntary supplementary service garners strong interest from users, according to the database of gesetzlichekrankenkassen.de. Thomas Lemke, CEO of the German Financial Service Institute (DFSI), highlighted that regular osteopathic treatments can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses for those who utilize them.

The DFSI has identified the best-performing health insurances for osteopathy, with seven insurers receiving a "excellent" rating, including two nationwide insurers, BKK24 and Salus BKK. Both insurers cover up to 360 Euros per year, offering up to 90 percent of the cost for adults and up to 60 Euros per session for children under twelve.

BKK24 reimburses 80 percent of the invoice, up to 60 Euros per session, for up to six sessions per year. To qualify for reimbursement, treatments must be provided by osteopaths meeting specific quality standards. In regional insurers, AOK Bremen/Bremerhaven, SKD BKK, Bergische Krankenkasse, BKK VDN, and BKK Wirtschaft & Finanzen received an "excellent" rating, with AOK Bremen/Bremerhaven covering 80 percent of costs for three osteopathic treatments per year.

Despite osteopathy being introduced as a supplementary service around 15 years ago, many insurers have since reduced their reimbursements or integrated them into shared budgets with other services. However, professional teeth cleaning has seen the highest demand among insurers, and the cost variations and limitations of such coverage should be carefully compared.

The home insurer stands out with a once-a-year reimbursement of up to 80 Euros for a professional teeth cleaning, plus free professional cleanings at partner practices.