What Statutory Insurance (GKV) Covers
GKV covers prevention and screening services. Some of these overlap with longevity goals.
Regular prevention: - Health check-up from age 35, every 3 years: history, blood pressure, basic blood panel, urine - Skin cancer screening from 35, every 2 years - Colorectal cancer screening: stool test from 50 yearly, colonoscopy from 50/55 - Breast cancer screening: mammography every 2 years, ages 50–69 - Cervical cancer screening - Prostate exam from 45 - Vaccinations per STIKO
Basic medications that are covered: - Blood pressure drugs for confirmed hypertension - Statins for cardiovascular risk (heart and blood vessels) - Metformin for type 2 diabetes - HRT (hormone therapy) when indicated in menopause - GLP-1 agonists for diabetes
What GKV does NOT cover: - Expanded blood panels (ApoB, Lp(a), hsCRP, omega-3 index, full hormone panels, microbiome) - Biological or epigenetic age tests (chemical tags on your DNA that shift with age) - Whole-body MRI as routine screening - Coronary calcium score - VO2 max tests outside a cardiology indication - DEXA scan (unless osteoporosis is suspected) - CGM (continuous glucose monitor) without diabetes - GLP-1 for obesity without diabetes (mostly not) - Longevity consultations at private practices - IV therapies
Key Points
- •GKV prevention covers basic screening only
- •Medications with a clear medical reason are covered
- •Expanded longevity diagnostics are not GKV services
- •Almost all premium longevity offers are self-pay
Typical Self-Pay Services and Prices (2026)
Reference prices from large and mid-size German cities:
Expanded lab diagnostics: - Full longevity blood panel (30–60 markers): €150–450 - ApoB, Lp(a): €25–80 - Full hormone panel: €150–300 - Omega-3 index: €40–80 - Microbiome analysis: €250–500 - Epigenetic age test: €250–500 - Heavy metal test: €100–250
Imaging: - DEXA scan: €50–150 - Coronary calcium score: €150–300 - Carotid intima-media measurement: €70–180 - Whole-body MRI: €800–2,500 - Cardiac MRI: €400–800
Functional diagnostics: - VO2 max test (sports medicine): €100–250 - Resting and stress ECG: €50–150 - Spiroergometry: €120–280
Interventions: - IV vitamin therapy: €60–250 per session - NAD+ IV: €200–500 per session - IHHT: €30–80 per session - Cryotherapy chamber: €20–50 per session - Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: €100–300 per session
Consultations: - Longevity private practice first visit: €200–500 - Follow-ups: €100–300 - Heilpraktiker first consultation: €80–200
Online services: - Blood panel plus coaching subscriptions: €50–200 per month - Wearable-based programs: €20–100 per month
Key Points
- •Expanded blood panel: €150–450
- •DEXA and calcium score under €200–300, strong value
- •Whole-body MRI is at the top end, evidence is thin for low-risk people
- •IV therapies are everywhere, but the evidence is often weak
PKV and Supplementary Insurance
Private insurance (PKV): contracts vary a lot. Many plans pay for noticeably more longevity-relevant services: - Expanded lab diagnostics on a physician's order - Non-physician services (Heilpraktiker) to some extent - Longer prevention appointments - Some imaging even without a specific medical reason
PKV is usually not worth it just for longevity. Over decades the extra premium tends to cost more than the longevity benefit is worth.
GKV-insured with supplementary insurance: - Outpatient supplementary: often covers Heilpraktiker and expanded prevention - Heilpraktiker supplementary: just for Heilpraktiker services - Prevention supplementary: expanded GKV prevention
Typical premiums: €10–50 per month. Reimbursement is usually 70–80% up to a yearly cap (for example €1,000).
Before signing, check the contract terms. Look at waiting periods, yearly caps, and which methods are actually covered.
Key Points
- •PKV usually covers more than GKV, but is not worth it for longevity alone
- •GKV supplementary for Heilpraktiker: €10–50 per month
- •Typical reimbursement: 70–80% up to a yearly cap
- •Read the contract terms before signing
A Sensible Self-Pay Strategy
A priority ladder that works for most people:
Tier 1. Baseline (free or already in GKV): - Use regular GKV prevention - No smoking, little alcohol - Daily movement, strength training 2–3 times a week - 7–8 hours of sleep
Tier 2. Low effort, high value (€200–500 per year): - Yearly expanded blood panel (including ApoB, Lp(a), hsCRP, HbA1c, fasting insulin, vitamin D, B12, ferritin) - DEXA every 2–3 years - Yearly VO2 max test - A wearable (Whoop, Oura, Garmin)
Tier 3. Medium effort (€500–1,500 per year): - Yearly longevity private practice visit - Coronary calcium score (every 5 years if normal) - Epigenetic age test every 2–3 years - IV vitamin therapy for documented deficiencies
Tier 4. High effort (€1,500 and up per year): - Whole-body MRI as routine - Continuous CGM without diabetes - NAD+ IV programs - Off-label drugs (see [rapamycin guide](./rapamycin-deutschland))
For most people: Tier 1 plus Tier 2, and Tier 3 now and then. Cost: €300–800 per year, plus €20–30 per month for a wearable. That is around €700–1,200 a year.
Key Points
- •Tier 1: free lifestyle basics deliver about 80% of the benefit
- •Tier 2: blood panel plus wearable gives the best cost to benefit ratio
- •Tier 3: yearly private practice, calcium score, age tests
- •Tier 4: often expensive without clear extra value
Frequently Asked Questions
Does insurance pay for a biological age test?
GKV usually does not. PKV and some supplementary plans cover part of it, depending on the contract. See the [biological age test insurance guide](./biologischer-alterstest-krankenkasse).
Which self-pay investments are most worth it?
Best value for money: yearly expanded blood panel (€150–450), DEXA every 2–3 years (€50–150), yearly VO2 max test (€100–250), and a wearable. Premium offers like whole-body MRI add little for low-risk people.
Is PKV worth it just for longevity?
Usually no. The extra premium over decades tends to cost more than the longevity benefit. If you qualify for PKV for other reasons, check the longevity services in your specific plan.
Does insurance pay for Ozempic or Wegovy for longevity?
For longevity alone, without diabetes or obesity indication: no. For type 2 diabetes: yes. For obesity with BMI 30 or higher plus risk factors: often yes (Wegovy). See the [GLP-1 guide](./glp1-longevity).
Is there a good Heilpraktiker supplementary insurance?
Yes. Providers like Hallesche, Münchener Verein, and Barmenia offer plans. Premiums run €10–50 per month. Reimbursement is typically 70–80% up to €1,000–2,500 per year. Check waiting periods and covered methods.
Share experiences with longevity practices
At chapter events, members swap notes on specific private practices, labs, and providers.
Events near meRelated Guides
Peter Attia & Outlive (DACH Perspective)
The Four Horsemen, Medicine 3.0, and the Centenarian Decathlon — Attia's framework explained for a DACH audience
Heilpraktiker and Longevity
What German Heilpraktiker can and cannot offer in a longevity context — the legal framework and how it differs from physicians
Biological Age Tests and German Health Insurance
Are biological age tests covered by Krankenkasse? What GKV and PKV pay for, IGeL pricing, and how to choose self-pay test providers
The information provided here is for educational purposes only. Longevity Austria does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified healthcare providers with questions regarding medical conditions.