Health Insurance
Health Insurance provides financial protection in times of sickness and during maternity leave. The insurance also covers the spouse and children of the insured person, if these people have little or no personal income. Individuals can choose between various health insurers ("Krankenkassen"): "Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse", "Ersatzkassen", "Betriebskrankenkassen" or "Innungskrankenkassen". The health insurers differ only slightly in the level of contributions collected and the services and cover offered. The basic services covered are laid down by law. All employees below a certain income are obliged under law to be publicly insured. If income is above this higher level, the individual can choose between public and private health insurers.
You can find more information at 
www.gkv.info, www.die-gesundheitsreform.de/presse/publikationen/broschueren/index.html.
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