Telemedicine private insurance is a question of your contract: whether your insurer pays for a video consultation depends on the terms of your tariff. There is no uniform rule for all insurers, and benefits, providers and reimbursement rates differ from tariff to tariff. If you read the terms briefly before your first online appointment, you avoid nasty surprises when the bill arrives.
The most important points at a glance
- Your tariff determines whether video consultations and online doctor services are reimbursed. Ask before your first appointment.
- Private health insurance also works on the principle of reimbursement for online services: you receive a bill, pay it first and submit it.
- You can submit bills within three years from the end of the year in which they were issued.
- A video consultation is not the right route in an emergency. In an emergency, dial 112.
What is telemedicine, and what does it mean for privately insured patients?
Telemedicine means medical advice and care from a distance, usually by video or telephone. For students this is attractive, because appointments need no travel and are often more flexible. For privately insured patients, the basic logic of billing does not change: what matters is what your tariff reimburses.
For a broader overview of the digital services insurers offer in general, see our article on online services of health insurance (in German).
Does telemedicine private insurance cover the costs?
That depends on your tariff. Whether your insurer works with online doctors and which bills it reimburses is set out in the policy terms. There is no general guarantee, so find out in advance.
These questions will help you clarify the position:
| Question | Where you find the answer |
|---|---|
| Does my tariff reimburse video consultations? | Tariff terms or information from the insurer |
| Is there a cooperation partner or an own app? | Service area of the insurer |
| Who issues the bill, and under which fee schedule? | The provider’s bill |
| How high is the reimbursement, and is there an excess? | Tariff terms |
| Does submitting claims affect my premium refund? | Terms on premium refunds |
How does billing work for a video consultation?
Private medical services are billed under the scale of fees for doctors (Gebührenordnung für Ärzte, GOÄ). You can see how an online provider bills on its invoice. Up to the threshold value, the doctor needs no justification, but above it the doctor must justify each service in writing and relate it to your case. More detail on bills is in our article on billing and reimbursement in private health insurance (in German).
You pay the bill first and submit it to your insurer. You have three years from the end of the year in which it was issued. A bill from March 2026 can therefore be submitted until 31.12.2029.
Is it worth submitting small bills?
For small amounts, submitting may not be worthwhile. Some tariffs pay a premium refund if you submit no bills for a year. As a rough guide, this can be up to around 50 percent of an annual premium. An excess can also mean that small bills are not reimbursed at all. Do the sums before you submit.
When does a video consultation not replace a visit to the practice?
Not every complaint can be assessed from a distance. Whether an examination in person is necessary is decided by the doctor in each case. In acute emergencies, dial 112. For how billing works then, see our article on emergency rooms and emergency doctors for privately insured patients (in German).
Frequently asked questions
Does private health insurance pay for a video consultation?
That depends on your tariff. Which online services are reimbursed, and under which conditions, is set out in the policy terms. Read the terms or ask your insurer before you book an appointment. Without clarification you risk paying the bill yourself. Submit bills as you would for a practice visit.
How do I bill an online doctor with private health insurance?
You receive a bill, pay it first and submit it to your insurer. The insurer reimburses according to your tariff. You have three years from the end of the year in which the bill was issued to do so.
Which telemedicine provider is the right one?
There is no general ranking. What matters is whether your insurer recommends or pays a partner, how the bill is issued and which specialties are offered. Check the terms of your tariff and the provider’s billing before you book.
Can I use telemedicine as a student with private health insurance?
Yes, if your tariff provides for it or you bear the costs yourself. As a student you can apply for exemption from compulsory insurance at the start of your studies, and the exemption is irrevocable. Which digital services your tariff includes can be seen in the terms.
What you should do now
- Check your tariff terms for whether video consultations and online doctors are reimbursed.
- If anything is unclear, ask your insurer in writing.
- Before the appointment, find out who issues the bill and how.
- Submit the bill promptly and keep the three-year deadline in mind.
- If you want to talk through your situation, you will find the way to advice on the homepage of Academycon (in German).
You can read reviews of us on ProvenExpert, Trustlocal and Trustindex. Academycon was also mentioned in a press release in Frankfurter Rundschau. An overview of all mentions is on our press page (in German).
Related articles
- Private health insurance benefits for students: an overview (in German)
- Advantages as a privately insured patient: doctors, hospitals and therapy compared (in German)
- Billing in private health insurance: how to read bills and reimbursements (in German)
- Private health insurance and psychotherapy: what is covered? (in German)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
