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Navigating German health insurance – HearSay

German B1

Master the medical German you need to navigate the healthcare system with ease. Practice your listening and speaking skills on the go, from booking appointments to explaining symptoms.

Lessons

Understanding the healthcare system
Lukas explains the difference between public and private health insurance in Germany. Hannah learns about her mandatory contributions.
Vocabulary
- die Krankenversicherung (health insurance)
- gesetzlich (statutory)
- privat (private)
- das Gesundheitssystem (healthcare system)
- die Pflicht (duty)
- der Beitrag (contribution)
Objectives
- Distinguish between public and private insurance
- Discuss mandatory healthcare contributions
Choosing a health provider
Hannah needs to select a public health insurance fund. She discusses her options and employee benefits with Lukas.
Vocabulary
- die Krankenkasse (health insurance fund)
- wählen (to choose)
- wechseln (to switch)
- der Arbeitgeber (employer)
- der Arbeitnehmer (employee)
- die Leistung (benefit)
Objectives
- Choose a health insurance provider
- Talk about employer benefits
Filling out the application
Hannah sits down to register online for her chosen Krankenkasse. She navigates the application form and submits her personal data.
Vocabulary
- der Antrag (application)
- das Formular (form)
- ausfüllen (to fill out)
- anmelden (to register)
- die Daten (data)
- unterschreiben (to sign)
Objectives
- Fill out a registration form
- Submit personal details online
Receiving your insurance card
A few weeks later, Hannah's electronic health card arrives in the mail. She learns what to do with it.
Vocabulary
- die Gesundheitskarte (health insurance card)
- der Chip (chip)
- der Brief (letter)
- schicken (to send)
- die Post (mail)
- die Versichertennummer (insurance number)
Objectives
- Identify your health insurance card
- Understand your insurance number
Finding a general practitioner
Hannah is feeling a bit under the weather and needs a general practitioner. She asks Lukas for recommendations in her neighborhood.
Vocabulary
- der Hausarzt (general practitioner)
- die Praxis (doctor's office)
- die Nähe (vicinity)
- suchen (to search)
- empfehlen (to recommend)
- aufnehmen (to accept patients)
Objectives
- Ask for doctor recommendations
- Find a clinic that accepts new patients
Calling for an appointment
Hannah calls the clinic to see if she can get a quick appointment. She learns how to express urgency.
Vocabulary
- der Termin (appointment)
- vereinbaren (to arrange)
- der Notfall (emergency)
- dringend (urgent)
- vorbeikommen (to come by)
- die Wartezeit (waiting time)
Objectives
- Arrange a medical appointment by phone
- Explain that an issue is urgent
Booking appointments online
Since the clinic's phone line is busy, Hannah tries booking her appointment through an online portal instead.
Vocabulary
- buchen (to book)
- das Internet (internet)
- absagen (to cancel)
- verschieben (to postpone)
- die Bestätigung (confirmation)
- die Sprechstunde (consultation hour)
Objectives
- Book a medical appointment online
- Cancel or postpone an appointment
Arriving at the clinic
Hannah arrives at the doctor's office. She speaks to the receptionist and hands over her health insurance card.
Vocabulary
- die Anmeldung (reception)
- das Wartezimmer (waiting room)
- warten (to wait)
- aufrufen (to call in)
- die Versichertenkarte (insurance card)
- einlesen (to scan)
Objectives
- Check in at a doctor's reception
- Present your health insurance card
Explaining basic symptoms
The doctor calls Hannah in. She explains her basic symptoms, mentioning her fever and cough.
Vocabulary
- das Symptom (symptom)
- das Fieber (fever)
- der Husten (cough)
- die Kopfschmerzen (headache)
- sich fühlen (to feel)
- messen (to measure)
Objectives
- Describe how you feel
- Report common cold symptoms
Describing specific pain
The doctor asks follow-up questions. Hannah has to describe exactly where it hurts and how long she has felt dizzy.
Vocabulary
- die Bauchschmerzen (stomachache)
- schwindelig (dizzy)
- übel (nauseous)
- der Schmerz (pain)
- schlimm (severe)
- seit wann (since when)
Objectives
- Express specific pains and nausea
- State the duration of an illness
The medical examination
The doctor examines Hannah, listening to her breathing. He gives her a diagnosis and advises her to rest.
Vocabulary
- untersuchen (to examine)
- tief (deep)
- atmen (to breathe)
- die Diagnose (diagnosis)
- die Entzündung (inflammation)
- sich ausruhen (to rest)
Objectives
- Follow a doctor's instructions during an exam
- Understand a basic medical diagnosis
Visiting the pharmacy
With a prescription in hand, Hannah heads to the local pharmacy. She asks the pharmacist how to take her medication.
Vocabulary
- das Rezept (prescription)
- die Apotheke (pharmacy)
- das Medikament (medication)
- die Tablette (pill)
- einnehmen (to take medicine)
- die Apothekerin (pharmacist)
Objectives
- Hand in a medical prescription
- Ask for instructions on taking medication
Understanding the sick note
Hannah receives a sick note from her doctor. She reads it over to understand how many days she is excused from work.
Vocabulary
- die Krankschreibung (sick note)
- die Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung (certificate of incapacity for work)
- fehlen (to be absent)
- der Arbeitstag (workday)
- krank (sick)
- gesund (healthy)
Objectives
- Understand the purpose of an AU
- Discuss absence from work due to illness
Reporting to your employer
Hannah contacts Lukas in HR to inform him of her sick leave. They discuss the new digital transmission process.
Vocabulary
- elektronisch (electronic)
- übermitteln (to transmit)
- die Personalabteilung (HR department)
- der Chef (boss)
- gute Besserung (get well soon)
- weiterzahlen (to continue paying)
Objectives
- Inform HR or your boss about sick leave
- Understand electronic sick note transmission