HanseMerkur's bKV: Plans, Benefits, and Costs
HanseMerkur offers its employer-sponsored health insurance in four plan structures, which differ primarily in their budget logic: BKB and BKB-E are pure budget plans, while Company Fit BKBT and Company Fit BKBT-E—as compact and budget variants, respectively—can combine additional modules. Within these plan structures, the employer selects one of six budget levels ranging from 300 to 1,700 euros per year per employee, resulting in a total of twelve plan options per plan structure. When combined with additional modules such as alternative medicine, preventive care, dental prosthetics, or accident coverage, this results in a total of 75 plan options, allowing companies to tailor the level of coverage to suit their workforce and available budget.
The health budget covers outpatient services such as treatments by alternative practitioners in accordance with the GebüH, naturopathic treatments in accordance with Hufeland or the GOÄ, medications and bandages, medical devices and aids, as well as vaccinations. Although vision aids are included, they are subject to a separate sublimit within the health budget, meaning that only a limited portion of the annual budget is available for this type of service. Advance payment by the statutory health insurance provider is generally not required for reimbursement, which simplifies the process for employees.
In the field of dentistry, professional teeth cleaning and teeth whitening are included as standalone services, while additional dental prosthesis services are covered through the corresponding coverage modules. Preventive checkups and reimbursement for daily hospitalization benefits vary depending on the selected plan, so the specific scope of coverage depends on the plan chosen. The benefits package is supplemented by digital health services—video consultations via TeleClinic, a specialist appointment service, a medical hotline, and a second medical opinion—which are available free of charge once a supplementary health insurance policy has been taken out.
Employers can set up HanseMerkur's supplemental health insurance (bKV) even with as few as five employees. The group plan does not require individual health screenings for employees, which reduces the administrative burden involved in setting up the plan and allows all employees to enroll regardless of their individual health status.
Family members of insured employees can also be covered under the policy without a medical examination, although benefits for family members vary depending on the plan. If an employee leaves the company, the policy can be continued on a private basis—again without a new medical examination—so that the existing insurance coverage can transition seamlessly into private coverage.
With a low minimum of five employees and a tiered pricing structure, HanseMerkur’s offering is aimed both at small businesses that want to start with a basic plan and at companies that wish to put together a more comprehensive benefits package by combining different modules. The quality of the offering has also been confirmed by external rating agencies: Franke & Bornberg rated the 2025 plan “Good,” Morgen & Morgen awarded the 2025 plan a “Very Good” rating (4 out of 5), and Ascore rated the 2024 plan “Excellent.”
Rates
- BKB (Budget Plan): Budget tiers 300 / 600 / 900 / 1,200 / 1,500 / 1,700 EUR/year · 12 plan options · for businesses with 5 or more employees
- BKB-E (Budget Plan): Budget tiers 300 / 600 / 900 / 1,200 / 1,500 / 1,700 EUR/year · 12 plan options · for businesses with 5 or more employees
- Company Fit BKBT (Budget Plan): Budget tiers 300 / 600 / 900 / 1,200 / 1,500 / 1,700 EUR/year · 12 plan options · for companies with 5 or more employees
- Company Fit BKBT-E (Budget Plan): Budget tiers 300 / 600 / 900 / 1,200 / 1,500 / 1,700 EUR/year · 12 plan options · for companies with 5 or more employees
- Plans: BKH Alternative Medicine, BKS Vision Aid, BKT Daily Sickness Benefit, BKU Accident, BKV Preventive Care (Solo), BKVP Preventive Care Premium, BKZ Dental Prosthetics, BKZB Dental Treatment, BKZP Professional Teeth Cleaning Bonus, BKZT Top Dental Prosthetics, BKZY Cancer Screening, BWL Hospital
Services
- Preventive screenings: covered differently depending on the plan
- Alternative Practitioner: Yes, according to the GebüH (excluding psychotherapy)
- Naturopathic treatments: Yes, according to Hufeland/GOÄ
- Medicines and medical supplies: Yes
- Remedy: Yes
- Resources: Yes
- Vaccinations: included
- Vision aids: with a sub-limit within the health care budget
- Professional teeth cleaning: included
- Teeth Whitening: Included
- Daily Hospitalization Benefit: Rules Vary by Plan
- Digital Health Services: Video Consultations (TeleClinic) · Specialist Appointment Service · Medical Hotline · Second Medical Opinion
- Budget carryover: governed by different rules depending on the pay scale
- Upon leaving the company: Private continuation is possible without a medical exam
- Services for Family Members: Regulations Vary Depending on the Plan
- Family Coverage: Yes, without a medical exam
Costs
The premium amount for HanseMerkur’s supplementary health insurance (bKV) is primarily based on the selected budget level: Employers set an annual budget per employee ranging from 300 to 1,700 euros, from which the outpatient, dental, and other benefits specified in the plan are reimbursed. The higher the budget level, the more expenses can be covered—and at the same time, the larger the financial allocation the employer provides for its workforce.
Within the budget, the benefits actually utilized are accounted for, with individual benefit types—such as vision aids—subject to their own sublimit and thus able to use only a limited portion of the total budget. Additional coverage options, such as dental prosthetics, daily sickness benefits, or preventive care benefits, affect the premium because they provide coverage for benefits beyond the basic budget and are priced accordingly.
Whether and how unused budget affects the following year is governed by different rules depending on the collective bargaining agreement, making it another factor that employers should consider when selecting a collective bargaining agreement.
External Reviews
FAQ
Do I need a doctor's prescription for every service?
No, not for everything—that wouldn't be practical anyway. Only medications, bandages, and medical devices and aids require a doctor's prescription. For vision aids, an optician's invoice listing the diopter values is sufficient.
Can I still use these services when I'm abroad?
Yes, of course. You have full insurance coverage within Europe. Outside of Europe, coverage applies for the first 6 months—reimbursement is based on the rates applicable in Germany (in accordance with the GOÄ/GOZ).
Can I carry over the budget to next year if I don't use it all?
Unfortunately, no—any unused budget expires at the end of the year. In the E plans (BKB-E, BKBT-E), you’re rewarded for not submitting any claims: Your budget for the following year increases by 25% after one claim-free year and by 50% after two claim-free years. Our tip: Plan for major purchases early in the current year.
Will I still be insured if I take parental leave?
Yes, you’ll remain insured. If your employer has arranged for a premium waiver during parental leave, your premiums will be suspended for up to 12 months—we’ll be happy to handle the registration for you; just contact the team at Faktor Mensch.
Can I continue my insurance coverage privately if I leave the company?
Yes, of course. You can continue the insurance as an individual policy—the only important thing is that you submit the application within 2 months of leaving the company. Please contact us early on, and we’ll help you through the transition.
How long do I have to submit an invoice?
There is no strict deadline—but it’s best to submit your bills as soon as possible. Important: The date of treatment—not the date of submission—is what counts for the budget year.
Are dietary supplements or vitamins reimbursed?
Not as a matter of course, unfortunately. Only medically prescribed medications and bandages are covered—vitamin supplements and dietary supplements are generally not included.
What counts as an assistive device—do fitness trackers, for example, qualify?
Reimbursement is available for medically prescribed medical aids, such as bandages or orthopedic insoles. Fitness trackers and smartwatches are not included.
Can I collect several invoices and submit them together?
Yes, sure. You can collect invoices and submit them all at once—it doesn't matter how many submissions you make; the budget applies per calendar year.
Will I get my own insurance number or card?
Yes, you'll receive an insurance card from Faktor Mensch with your personal insurance number.
Can my employer see the claims I submit?
No, your privacy is protected. Your employer won't see any personal usage data—everything stays between you and the insurance company.
Are services purchased online also reimbursed?
Yes—the only important thing is that the service is generally eligible for reimbursement and that you can provide a valid invoice.
Will the budget be prorated if I enroll during the school year?
No, here's the good news: Even if you join partway through the year, you'll still have the full annual budget at your disposal.
What happens if a doctor charges more than the GOÄ/GOZ rates?
Costs are reimbursed up to the respective maximum rates set by the GOÄ/GOZ. If the bill exceeds these amounts, HanseMerkur generally does not cover the difference—if in doubt, check the rates before receiving treatment.
How does the bKV work in conjunction with private supplemental insurance?
If other insurers (e.g., a private supplemental insurance plan) have already reimbursed you for part of the cost, please indicate this when you submit your claim—double reimbursement is not possible.
What happens to my insurance if I'm unable to work for an extended period?
Your insurance coverage remains in effect. In the event of a prolonged period of incapacity to work, your employer can also arrange with the insurance company for a premium waiver—which is valid for up to 12 months. We’d be happy to help you sort this out.
Can my family members use the bKV?
Yes, provided your employer has included family coverage in the plan. Each insured person will then receive their own budget. Unfortunately, it is not possible to add individual employees at a later date—family coverage must be included at the time of application.
When can I start submitting claims?
As soon as your insurance coverage begins—the key point is that the date of treatment or receipt must be after your insurance coverage begins.