Medical aids: do you really have to pay extra?
With a hearing aid, insole or wheelchair it is often said: 'The fund only pays part, you pay the rest yourself.' That is not always true. For the necessary provision you are entitled to a variant without a surcharge.
Reach your next steps and the matching ready-made texts in just a few minutes, free of charge:
Check the surcharge →Your chances of getting your money back
What you should do now
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1. Demand the surcharge-free variant
Explicitly ask for a surcharge-free, suitable model.
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2. Clarify the necessity
Is the standard provision medically sufficient? Then no surcharge is needed.
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3. Follow up with the fund
If you do not get a suitable surcharge-free aid, turn to your health insurance fund.
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4. Object if refused
If the fund refuses a sufficient provision, you can file an objection (§ 84 SGG).
Frequently asked questions
Do I always have to pay extra for medical aids?
No. You are entitled to a sufficient and appropriate provision without a surcharge (surcharge-free provision, § 33 SGB V); there must be at least one suitable model for which only the statutory co-payment applies. Surcharges are only permitted for genuine comfort extras that go beyond what is medically necessary.
What can I do if only expensive models are offered?
Explicitly demand a surcharge-free aid suitable for your needs. If you do not get one, turn to your health insurance fund and insist on the surcharge-free provision. If the fund refuses a sufficient provision, you can file an objection within one month (§ 84 SGG).
Take action now
We put together the ready-made texts and the right places to contact for you.
General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.