Short Answer
Public health insurance providers require you to submit a "Heil- und Kostenplan" for approval before any major dental treatment begins.
Failure to secure an official "Zusage" (commitment) from your insurer before the first drill bit touches your tooth results in a total loss of reimbursement rights.
What Most Expats Don't Realize
You agreed to an €800 root canal treatment on the spot because the dentist said it was urgent. You paid the full invoice and sent it to your insurance company later, only to have them reject the claim entirely because the treatment started before they could review the plan. You lost over €300 in potential subsidies simply because you didn't wait the three days required for the insurer to stamp your paperwork.
What To Do
- Ask your dentist for a printed "Heil- und Kostenplan" (treatment and cost plan) after the initial consultation.
- Upload a photo of this plan to your health insurance provider's mobile app immediately.
- "Ich warte auf die Zusage meiner Krankenkasse." (I am waiting for the approval from my health insurance.) — tell your dentist this to delay the start of the treatment until the paperwork is returned.
The Truth
Germany’s insurance system operates on a "pre-approval" basis for dentistry. The moment you start a procedure, you waive your right to have the insurer cover their portion of the costs.