Prevention Courses: Stay fit, healthy, and active through prevention—and get up to 100% of your money back
Prevention Courses—Useful & Even Free?
- Prevention courses under Section 20 of the German Social Code, Book V (SGB V) are certified health courses that are subsidized or fully covered by statutory health insurance providers.
- They promote health in four areas: exercise, nutrition, stress management, and addiction prevention.
- The courses are suitable for adults aged 16 and older—regardless of fitness level or health status.
- The goal is to prevent health issues and promote a healthy lifestyle in the long term.
Recommendation: BLACKROLL also offers such a course: The prevention course “Fascia Training for Greater Mobility” aims to improve mobility, relieve tension, and strengthen body awareness in the long term through special exercises.
Are there no free fitness classes? If you participate in a prevention course, it may even be completely free for you (depending on your health insurance provider).
In this article, you’ll learn what prevention courses are, what benefits they offer, and how you can get the course costs reimbursed by your health insurance provider—and, in the best-case scenario, exercise completely free of charge. You’ll learn everything you need to know to improve your health through prevention courses while saving money.
What are prevention courses?
A prevention course is a health course that is certified under Section 20 of the German Social Code, Book V (SGB V) and recognized by health insurance providers. Thanks to certification by the “Central Prevention Assessment Office” (ZPP), course fees are covered up to 100% by statutory health insurance providers.
A prevention course always focuses on one of the four areas of action.
- Physical activity habits
- Nutrition
- Stress management
- Substance use
A prevention course aims to raise awareness of one’s own health and contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Statutory health insurance providers seek to promote the health of their insured members through these courses.
What are the benefits of a prevention course?
For you as an insured person, prevention courses offer several benefits
- Prevention courses improve your overall health.
- Health-promoting measures help reduce the risk of illness.
- Prevention courses are covered up to 100% by statutory health insurance (GKV).
- Course quality is ensured through certification by the Central Prevention Agency (ZPP).
Who are prevention courses suitable for?
A prevention course under Section 20 of the German Social Code, Book V (SGB V) is suitable for any adult aged 16 and older, regardless of social status, gender, fitness level, or financial situation. Prevention courses attract a diverse range of participants, from young people to seniors, as well as beginners, those returning to exercise, and advanced participants.
If you suffer from common health conditions (diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease), health courses are ideal for you. But even if you’re in perfect health, health courses can help you prevent illnesses.
In some cases, participation in prevention courses is not recommended. For example, in cases of acute infections, after recent surgery, or if you have serious underlying medical conditions. If in doubt, it’s always a good idea to consult a doctor before participating.
How much is reimbursed for preventive courses?
The subsidy amount averages between 75% and 100% and depends on your health insurance provider. You can find detailed information on your health insurance provider’s website.
For the BLACKROLL® Online Prevention Course: Fascia & Mobility, you can calculate your reimbursement using our health insurance calculator.
How does reimbursement for prevention courses work?
To receive reimbursement from your health insurance provider, follow these steps:
- Register for the course.
- Pay the full course fees.
- Obtain your certificate of participation. For in-person courses, you’ll receive the certificate from your course instructor; for online courses, you’ll receive it via email or as a download after completing the final session.
- Submit the certificate to your statutory health insurance provider. Depending on your provider, you can submit the certificate via email, an online portal, or by mail.
- After submission and review by the health insurance provider, you will be reimbursed 75–100% of your costs.
Stay flexible. Your health insurance covers it.
With our certified online prevention course, “Fascia Training for Greater Mobility,” you’ll train your entire body. You’ll learn everything about fascia and discover exercises and tips for everyday life to prevent pain in the long term. For a more flexible, body-conscious life.
Which prevention courses does my health insurance cover?
For course fees to be reimbursed, the course must be recognized by health insurance providers. If all requirements of § 20 SGB V are met and the Central Prevention Review Office (ZPP) has issued the corresponding certificate, the course is officially recognized.
The following are not covered:
- Membership fees for sports clubs or gyms
- Activities aimed solely at learning a sport (e.g., soccer training)
- Activities that have a commercial interest in the sale of related products (e.g., dietary supplements)
- Massages
How many prevention courses are reimbursed each year?
Most health insurance plans cover one to two preventive courses per year. However, there are also statutory health insurance plans that cover one course per area of focus. It’s best to check with your health insurance provider in advance.
What are the focus areas for prevention courses?
Prevention courses can be divided into four different areas of focus, each with distinct goals.
1. Area of Focus: Physical Activity
Objective: To reduce physical inactivity and health risks through health-promoting physical activity.
Example courses:
- Back Training
- Fascia training
- Yoga
2. Action Area: Nutrition
Goal: To prevent malnutrition and poor nutrition and reduce obesity through various measures.
Sample courses:
- Reducing Excess Weight
- Prevention of Diabetes
3. Action Area: Stress Management
Goal: Measures are designed to promote stress management skills and relaxation.
Sample courses:
- Tai Chi
- Autogenic Training
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation
4. Action Area: Substance Use
Goal: This area of focus aims to promote healthy habits regarding addictive substances. This includes encouraging people to quit smoking and to consume alcohol in a way that is consistent with good health.
Sample courses:
- Smoking Cessation Program
- Healthy Alcohol Use
What diseases can I prevent with prevention courses?
The term “prevention” simply means taking steps to avoid something. Prevention, therefore, involves all measures aimed at avoiding diseases or health problems, minimizing the risk of illness, or at least delaying its onset.
Depending on the area of focus, prevention courses are designed to prevent common diseases and ailments.
Preventing cardiovascular diseases
- Prevention of heart attacks
- Prevention of stroke
- Prevention of high blood pressure
Preventing musculoskeletal injuries
- Preventing Back Pain
- Prevention of Herniated Discs
- Prevention of Knee Pain
Preventing Diet-Related Disorders
- Preventing diabetes
- Prevention of Obesity
- Prevention of Malnutrition
Preventing Mental Health Issues
- Preventing Burnout
- Prevention of Stress
- Prevention of Depression
What is the difference between online and offline prevention courses?
Online Prevention Courses
With online prevention courses, you can complete your 8- to 12-week program from the comfort of your own home. The course sessions are led via video, and you’ll receive additional learning materials (PDF files, texts, training plans).
Advantages of Online Prevention Courses
- Participate in the course flexibly, from anywhere, and from the comfort of your own home.
- Set your own pace.
- Access the course on various devices (cell phone, laptop, tablet, and smart TV).
- Get in touch with your course instructor (phone, email, chat: response within 48 hours)
Disadvantages of the Online Prevention Course
- You can only contact your course instructor via email, chat, or phone.
- The course instructor is unable to correct mistakes.
In-Person Prevention Courses
If you take your health course in person with an instructor, you’ll be doing so with about 10–15 other participants and will receive weekly homework assignments designed to support your health progress.
Benefits of the Online Prevention Course
- You have personal contact with your course instructor.
- Exchange ideas with other course participants.
- Having a weekly commitment can sometimes make it easier for you to stick with the course.
Disadvantages of the Online Prevention Course
- You may have a long commute to the course location.
- Because of the fixed class times, there’s a chance you won’t have time for the course.
Conclusion: Prevention Courses
As you can see, preventive health courses are a great way to do something for your health while saving a lot of money at the same time. No matter what your fitness level is, there are health courses available for everyone. Choose one or two preventive health courses each year to help prevent illness and feel better in your body.