Germany - Health System

The health system in Germany is reasonably straightforward.
Everybody has to have health insurance.
If you are self-employed, or earn over 3 825 Euros a month (in 2003) then you have the option to choose between public or private health insurance. Otherwise you are enrolled in the public system.
Public health schemes vary in price, but by law must provide the same level of care. All dependents in a worker's family are covered by his or her public health insurance.

You can pick and choose a bit more with the private system, and you pay for what you get. All family members must be insured separately, so it's generally cheaper for couples to insure privately (if they are self-employed or earn enough!) but for families to stick with the public system.