Zero

Nothing.

That's how much we've paid for any medical expenses with Norah Grace. Her birth, quick trip to intensive care and four day stay? Nothing.

Her ambulance ride, followed by a week in the hospital? No bill came our way. 

Her check-ups, trips to the doctor when she's sick, all her vaccinations, prescriptions, and even the over-the-counter meds the doctor writes a note for? Insurance covers it all. 

I got three cavities filled here. 10 euros total. 

Amy went to the hospital a month before Norah was born because she was having contractions. Insurance covered it. 

Our copay is ten euros per quarter (January, February, and March, for example) and only if we go to the doctor. If the doctor makes a referral to a specialist, we don't have to pay any extra. If we go to the specialist without a referral it's a whopping 10 euros. People here have a hard time grasping the concept of a deductible and think it's ridiculous.

I get up to ten days I can stay home from work with a sick child and my insurance pays me 70% of my normal pay. It isn't full pay, but it's better than nothing. When I was reading the details behind that part of the policy, I learned something new, something that shows a bit of compassion: if you have a child who is terminally ill, there is no limit to how many days you take off of work at 70% of your pay to be with your child. There's no going bankrupt because you can't bring yourself to leave your kid's side. 

Germany doesn't have universal healthcare funded by the government. None of this was free. Our insurance premium gets taken from our pay each month like it did in the US. We just get more bang for our buck here. 

I know this wasn't the most exciting post with wonderful pictures and cute stories about Norah and all that, but the health insurance system here is something we'll really miss.