At a Glance
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Payment Model | Private-pay (direct patient billing) |
| Cost Estimate | Provided before travel commitment |
| Lyme Disease Program (comprehensive) | 25,000-45,000 EUR |
| Post-COVID Program (apheresis-focused) | 12,000-25,000 EUR |
| Single WBH Session | 5,000-8,000 EUR |
| Single H.E.L.P. Apheresis Session | 2,500-4,000 EUR |
| Diagnostic Workup Only | 3,000-6,000 EUR |
| Payment Methods | Bank transfer, credit card (Visa/Mastercard), cash |
| Insurance Reimbursement | Possible for some patients — see details below |
Honest Conversations About Money
Medical costs are one of the most stressful aspects of seeking treatment abroad. Patients are already dealing with the burden of chronic illness; the last thing they need is financial uncertainty on top of it.
I believe in straightforward communication about costs. In this article, I will share the cost ranges for our most common treatment programs, explain exactly what is and is not included, discuss insurance reimbursement possibilities, and give you a realistic picture of the total financial commitment involved in traveling to Germany for treatment.
These are ranges, not fixed quotes. Your specific cost will depend on your individual treatment plan, which is determined during your initial consultation. But the ranges below will give you a grounded framework for financial planning.
How Pricing Works at Klinik St. Georg
The Cost Estimate Process
- Initial consultation (telemedicine) — we review your case and determine a preliminary treatment plan
- Detailed cost estimate — based on the treatment plan, we provide a written estimate itemizing all anticipated costs
- Your decision — you review the estimate and decide whether to proceed. There is no obligation
- Deposit — if you proceed, a deposit (typically 30-50% of the estimated total) is required to secure your treatment dates
- Final accounting — at discharge, you receive a detailed invoice reflecting the actual services provided. If the final cost is lower than the estimate, you receive a refund of the difference. If additional treatments were required beyond the original plan (discussed and agreed with you during your stay), these are included
The principle: No financial surprises. The cost estimate you receive before traveling represents our best assessment of what your treatment will cost. Significant deviations from the estimate are discussed with you before they occur.
Treatment Cost Ranges
Lyme Disease Comprehensive Program (3-4 Weeks)
This is our most common international patient program and includes:
| Component | Included |
|---|---|
| Hospital admission and accommodation | Single room, meals, nursing care |
| Whole-body hyperthermia | 2 sessions (extreme WBH at 41.6-41.8 degrees C) |
| Therapeutic apheresis | 2-4 H.E.L.P. apheresis sessions |
| Antimicrobial therapy | IV and oral antibiotics, targeted to your infection profile |
| IV supportive therapies | IV vitamin C, IV glutathione, IV minerals |
| Diagnostics | Comprehensive laboratory panels, cardiac assessment, imaging if indicated |
| Physician consultations | All treating physician fees |
| Discharge protocol | Written aftercare plan, medication prescriptions, supplement recommendations |
Estimated range: 25,000-45,000 EUR
The range is broad because the program is individualized. A patient with Lyme disease alone who responds well may be at the lower end. A patient with multiple co-infections (Babesia, Bartonella, reactivated EBV), significant immune dysfunction, and who requires additional apheresis sessions will be at the higher end.
Post-COVID / Long COVID Program (2-3 Weeks)
| Component | Included |
|---|---|
| Hospital admission and accommodation | Single room, meals, nursing care |
| Therapeutic apheresis | 3-5 sessions (H.E.L.P., and/or other modalities as indicated) |
| IV supportive therapies | IV vitamin C, IV glutathione, IV NAD+, IV laser therapy |
| Diagnostics | Inflammatory markers, microclot assessment, immune profiling |
| Physician consultations | All treating physician fees |
| Discharge protocol | Written aftercare plan |
Estimated range: 12,000-25,000 EUR
Post-COVID programs are typically shorter than Lyme programs and do not require whole-body hyperthermia (though moderate WBH may be included in some protocols). The number of apheresis sessions is the primary variable affecting cost.
Diagnostic Workup and Treatment Plan (1-2 Weeks)
Some patients come to us for a comprehensive diagnostic assessment and treatment plan, which they then implement at home or return for treatment at a later date.
| Component | Included |
|---|---|
| Hospital admission (short stay) or outpatient | Accommodation if admitted |
| Comprehensive laboratory panels | Infection markers, immune profiling, inflammatory markers, metabolic assessment, heavy metals |
| Imaging | As clinically indicated |
| Physician consultations | Detailed assessment and treatment plan |
| Written report | Comprehensive diagnostic report with recommendations |
Estimated range: 3,000-6,000 EUR
Individual Procedure Costs
For patients who require specific procedures rather than a comprehensive program:
| Procedure | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Whole-body hyperthermia (single session, extreme) | 5,000-8,000 EUR |
| Whole-body hyperthermia (single session, moderate) | 3,000-5,000 EUR |
| H.E.L.P. apheresis (single session) | 2,500-4,000 EUR |
| INUSpheresis (single session) | 3,000-4,500 EUR |
| Therapeutic plasma exchange (single session) | 3,500-5,000 EUR |
| IV vitamin C (single infusion, high-dose) | 150-300 EUR |
| IV glutathione (single infusion) | 100-200 EUR |
| IV NAD+ (single infusion) | 300-500 EUR |
| IV laser therapy (single session) | 200-400 EUR |
| Comprehensive blood panel | 500-1,500 EUR |
These are approximate figures to assist with planning. Your actual costs will be detailed in your personalized estimate.
What Is Included
The cost estimate from Klinik St. Georg covers everything that happens within the hospital:
- All physician fees (treating physician, anesthesiology, specialist consultations)
- Hospital accommodation (single room with ensuite bathroom)
- All meals during hospital stay
- Nursing care
- All scheduled procedures and therapies
- Laboratory testing performed at the hospital
- Medications administered during your stay
- Monitoring equipment and consumables
- Discharge documentation and aftercare protocol
What Is NOT Included
The following costs are your responsibility and are separate from the hospital bill:
- International travel (flights, trains) — budget 500-2,000 EUR depending on origin
- Accommodation between treatment sessions (hotel or apartment) — budget 80-170 EUR per night
- Meals outside the hospital — budget 30-50 EUR per day
- Airport transfers — approximately 120-180 EUR per trip
- Local transport — variable; taxis within Bad Aibling are 8-15 EUR per trip
- Medications prescribed for home use — these are typically purchased at a German pharmacy before departure or filled at home. Cost varies by medication
- Follow-up laboratory testing at home — performed by your local physician or laboratory
- Telemedicine follow-up consultations — these may carry a modest consultation fee
- Companion travel and accommodation — if a partner or family member accompanies you
Estimated Total Budget (All-In)
For planning purposes, here is what a comprehensive Lyme disease treatment journey might cost in total:
| Category | Estimated Range |
|---|---|
| Hospital treatment program | 25,000-45,000 EUR |
| Flights (round trip from US) | 800-2,000 EUR |
| Accommodation between sessions (2 weeks) | 1,100-2,400 EUR |
| Meals outside hospital (2 weeks) | 400-700 EUR |
| Airport transfers (2 round trips) | 500-700 EUR |
| Incidentals | 300-500 EUR |
| Total estimated budget | 28,000-51,000 EUR |
Insurance Reimbursement
Can Your Insurance Cover Treatment at Klinik St. Georg?
The answer depends on your insurance type and your country of origin.
German private insurance (PKV): If you have German private insurance, many of the treatments we provide are covered or partially covered. We work directly with German private insurance companies and can handle billing on your behalf.
German statutory insurance (GKV): Coverage is more limited under statutory insurance. Some treatments may be covered on a case-by-case basis, particularly if conventional treatment options have been exhausted. Pre-authorization is typically required.
International private insurance: Some international health insurance policies cover treatment at recognized hospitals abroad. If your policy includes coverage for treatment at foreign medical facilities, we provide detailed medical documentation and invoices formatted for reimbursement claims. Whether your specific policy covers our treatments depends on your policy terms — we recommend contacting your insurer before traveling.
US insurance: Traditional US health insurance (employer-based or ACA plans) generally does not cover treatment at foreign hospitals. However:
- Some US patients have successfully obtained reimbursement from PPO plans that include out-of-network benefits — particularly for diagnostic services
- Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) can be used to pay for qualified medical expenses incurred abroad
- Some supplemental international health insurance products may provide coverage
UK insurance (NHS and private): The NHS does not cover elective treatment abroad except under the S2 route for approved treatments within the EU (which has changed post-Brexit). Private UK health insurance policies vary — check your policy terms.
How to Maximize Your Reimbursement Potential
- Contact your insurer before traveling. Explain the specific treatments you will be receiving and ask whether any portion is covered under your policy. Get the answer in writing.
- Request pre-authorization if your policy requires it. We provide all necessary medical documentation to support pre-authorization requests.
- Keep all documentation. We provide detailed invoices with CPT-equivalent codes, medical justification letters, and treatment summaries that are formatted for insurance submission.
- Consult a medical billing advocate in your home country if you plan to pursue reimbursement. They can advise on the most effective approach for your specific insurer and policy type.
- Consider tax deductibility. In many countries (including the US), unreimbursed medical expenses exceeding a certain threshold are tax-deductible. Consult your tax advisor.
Comparison to US Treatment Costs
For US patients, it is worth contextualizing the costs at Klinik St. Georg relative to what similar (or less comprehensive) treatment would cost in the United States.
| Treatment | Approximate US Cost | Approximate Klinik St. Georg Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive Lyme disease evaluation | $5,000-15,000 | 3,000-6,000 EUR |
| Therapeutic apheresis (single session) | $5,000-10,000 | 2,500-4,000 EUR |
| Hospital stay (per day, private room) | $3,000-10,000 | Included in program cost |
| High-dose IV vitamin C | $200-500 per infusion | 150-300 EUR per infusion |
| Comprehensive blood panel (specialized) | $2,000-5,000 | 500-1,500 EUR |
| Physician specialist consultation | $300-800 | Included in program cost |
Key difference: In the US, these services are typically billed separately by each provider, each facility, and each laboratory — making the total cost unpredictable. At Klinik St. Georg, you receive a single comprehensive estimate that covers all services for the duration of your program. There are no separate facility fees, no surprise bills from individual providers, and no after-the-fact laboratory charges.
Many US patients report that the total cost of treatment in Germany — including flights, accommodation, and all medical expenses — is comparable to or less than what they would have spent pursuing similar treatment in the United States, with the significant advantage of receiving coordinated care under one roof rather than cobbling together services across multiple providers.
Payment Logistics
Deposit
A deposit of 30-50% of the estimated treatment cost is required to confirm your treatment dates. This can be paid by bank transfer or credit card. The deposit is applied to your final invoice.
Final Payment
The balance is due at discharge. We provide a detailed, itemized invoice. Payment can be made by:
- Bank wire transfer — preferred for large amounts due to lower transaction fees
- Credit card — Visa and Mastercard accepted. Note that your bank may charge foreign transaction fees (typically 1-3%)
- Cash — accepted in euros for smaller amounts
Currency Considerations
If you are paying from a non-Euro currency, the exchange rate at the time of payment applies. For large transactions, consider using a currency exchange service (such as Wise, formerly TransferWise) rather than your bank’s standard exchange rate, as the savings can be significant — potentially hundreds of euros on a large treatment bill.
Payment Plans
We understand that the upfront cost of treatment is significant. While we do not offer in-house financing, some patients have successfully used:
- Medical lending companies (CareCredit, Prosper Healthcare Lending, etc.) — available to US patients
- Personal lines of credit from their bank
- Health Savings Account (HSA) funds — US patients can use HSA funds for qualified medical expenses abroad
- Crowdfunding — some patients have used platforms like GoFundMe to help with medical travel costs. While this is a personal decision, we can provide documentation to support your campaign if needed.
Clinical Perspective — Julian Douwes M.D. I am aware that the cost of treatment is a serious consideration, and for many patients, it represents a significant financial sacrifice. I want to be direct about something: we do not discount or negotiate on clinical services. Our pricing reflects the actual cost of the medical resources, equipment, expertise, and time involved in delivering these treatments at the standard our patients deserve. What I can promise is transparency. You will know what treatment will cost before you commit to coming. You will receive an itemized invoice that accounts for every service. And you will not receive a surprise bill three months after you go home. In a healthcare landscape where cost transparency is the exception rather than the rule, I believe this matters.
Key Takeaways
- A detailed, itemized cost estimate is provided before you commit to traveling — no financial surprises
- A comprehensive Lyme disease program typically costs 25,000-45,000 EUR; post-COVID programs 12,000-25,000 EUR
- Hospital costs include physician fees, accommodation, meals, all procedures, laboratory work, and medications administered during your stay
- Travel, accommodation between sessions, and home-country follow-up are not included in hospital costs
- Insurance reimbursement is possible for some patients depending on policy type — contact your insurer before traveling
- HSAs, FSAs, and medical tax deductions can help offset costs for US patients
- Total costs are often comparable to or less than fragmented US treatment for similar services
- Payment by bank transfer, credit card, or cash; deposit required to secure treatment dates
References
- Lunt N, et al. “Medical Tourism: Treatments, Markets and Health System Implications: A Scoping Review.” OECD Directorate for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs, 2011. doi:10.1787/5kgb5568bl30-en
- Crush J, Chikanda A. “South-South Medical Tourism and the Quest for Health in Southern Africa.” Social Science & Medicine, 2015;124:313-320. PMID: 25467075.
- Patients Beyond Borders. “Medical Tourism Statistics & Facts.” Patients Beyond Borders, 2023. https://patientsbeyondborders.com/medical-tourism-statistics-facts
- Horowitz MD, Rosensweig JA, Jones CA. “Medical Tourism: Globalization of the Healthcare Marketplace.” MedGenMed, 2007;9(4):33. PMID: 18311383.
- Bundesministerium fur Gesundheit. “The German Healthcare System: Facts and Figures.” Federal Ministry of Health, 2020. https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/en/healthcare-in-germany.html
