I am an international student in Germany who received health insurance with Ottonova through Expatrio as part of a bundle package, which many students use when preparing their visa. Unfortunately, my experience has been extremely stressful and has left me effectively unable to access healthcare when I need it.
As a full-time student without income, I rely on my insurance to function properly. However, Ottonova requires all medical expenses to be paid upfront and reimbursed later, with reimbursement timelines that can take months and are not always predictable. For students living on tight budgets, this model simply does not work.
This has had real consequences. Because of the uncertainty around reimbursement, I have had to delay or avoid seeking medical care, including preventive healthcare and dental care, which defeats the purpose of having insurance in the first place.
Another concerning experience involved guidance I received from their call center. I contacted them regarding an urgent medical issue and was advised over the phone to seek treatment. However, when I later submitted the claim, it was denied. When I raised the issue, I was informed that there was no recording of the call and that verbal guidance from their staff is not legally binding. This leaves customers in a difficult position where even acting in good faith based on the advice given may not provide any protection.
For students moving to Germany, I would strongly encourage you to carefully consider opting for public health insurance, even if you are over the age limit for the discounted student tariff. The regular public insurance rate is not such a dramatic jump, and it may be worth it to avoid the stress and uncertainty that can come with reimbursement-based private insurance.
If you believe you are young and healthy and unlikely to need healthcare frequently, there are also other private insurance providers that may be significantly cheaper. In any case, it is worth doing thorough research before committing to a plan.
My goal in sharing this experience is simply to help other international students make a more informed decision before choosing their insurance, even when it is presented conveniently as part of a bundled package.
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