Short Answer
Treatment costs within the German healthcare system are determined by your insurance type rather than your nationality.
Once you are enrolled in a standard plan, you are billed the same as any local citizen.
What Most Expats Don't Realize
You assumed that your "incoming insurance" for your visa covered everything just like a standard plan. You went to the dentist for an emergency filling and were told that your basic policy excludes dental work entirely. You were forced to pay a "Rechnungsbetrag" (invoice amount) of €250 on the spot because you didn't check the specific exclusions of your temporary visa coverage.
What To Do
- Show your specific visa insurance policy document to the receptionist before booking any treatment.
- Email your insurer to request a list of covered services before scheduling non-emergency procedures.
- "Wird das von meiner Versicherung übernommen?" (Is this covered by my insurance?) Ask this before the doctor performs any procedure.
The Truth
The system treats everyone the same once they are inside the billing cycle. Germany distinguishes between types of insurance coverage, not the country listed on your passport.