Health insurance covers yoga classes as a preventative measure.
At daybreak on the yoga mat, tranquility is found - or perhaps you'll finally kick your smoking habit. Think this could benefit you? Then delve deeper into prevention courses.
Nordic Walking, Water Aerobics, or Yoga: When we work out together, we're more motivated. We've got a fixed appointment in our schedules that we're less likely to skip. Plus, it's possible we won't have to pay for a course that boosts our health completely out of our own pockets.
According to the German Social Code V, statutory health insurance funds are required to support certain health courses. They must promote offerings that lessen health risks and drive self-determined, health-promoting actions taken by insured individuals. And this includes prevention courses.
What sorts of courses are classified as prevention courses?
"The material must be linked to 'Exercise Habits,' 'Nutrition,' 'Stress and Resource Management,' or 'Drug Use,'" states Jochen Sunken from the Hamburg Consumer Center.
Prevention courses also have to be certified ahead of time by the Central Examination Center for Prevention (ZPP). Here, they check the course concept and the qualifications of the course leader or instructor. Prerequisites include distinct beginnings and ends, sessions that build upon each other, a fixed group, and set goals, towards which the timeline is aimed.
Here's a sampling of available courses:
- Exercise habits: In this area, you'll find courses for Nordic Walking, Water Aerobics, or maintaining a healthy back.
- Nutrition: In courses dedicated to this area, you can learn healthy ways to lose weight or how to eat well during pregnancy.
- Stress and resource management: These courses offer Yoga, Autogenic Training, or Tai Chi.
- Drug use: Some offerings in this category involve nicotine withdrawal or a healthy approach to alcohol.
It's worth noting: Prevention courses are also offered online.
Are there provisions for children and adolescents?
No, age doesn't matter. There are certified offerings for kids, teens, and senior citizens. And there are courses for children, adolescents, and seniors to build endurance with heart-lung training. Yoga can help teenagers relax. Elderly people can improve muscle strength or lower their risk of falling. And pregnant women have the opportunity to attend pregnancy-specific prevention courses.
From the Health Insurance Fund Association, health insurance funds not only support courses for their individual clients, they also support ones available in kindergartens, schools, and companies.
How can I find an apt course?
A likely starting point is your health insurance fund's website. Here, you'll find a database provided by the ZPP where you can search for classes near you based on your postal code. You can also search through the Health Insurance Fund Association's site (https://dpaq.de/xzs4jkf).
How much cash does the health insurance fund contribute?
One insurer puts out 50 euros a year for prevention course participants, while another covers 80% of the course costs. The level of financial support depends on the specific insurance organization. Thus, those looking to join a prevention course should inquire with their insurer about the reimbursement amount.
Do I need to pay upfront?
Yes, policyholders need to pay the course fees initially. Following course completion, they receive a certificate noting they attended regularly. These certificates are then presented to their insurer, who will either partially or fully reimburse the costs.
Note: In order to receive the participation certificate, policyholders cannot miss more than 20% of the course dates. And for time- and location-independent online classes, they must complete every unit.
And finally, must know: Funding is limited to just two courses per person each year.
What's the situation for private health insurance?
Private health insurers cover costs for medically necessary treatments agreed upon in the contract. "Prevention and sports courses are not included in that and, as a result, are not covered as the norm," says Jens Wegner from the Association of Private Health Insurers. Exceptions can occur if the insurance company offers those services in their plans.
