Private Health Insurance Over 50 in Austria: Is It Still Worth It?

Advertising Notice: This article contains affiliate links to durchblicker.at. We receive a commission for contracts concluded through these links. The editorial selection and evaluation of the content is not influenced by this.

Private Health Insurance at 50+: The Honest Analysis

Thinking about private health insurance at 50 is not uncommon. Many people only start focusing on health topics when the first diagnosis arrives or their knee creaks while climbing stairs.

The question is justified: Is the late start still worth it? For a comprehensive overview, see our Health Insurance Guide.

The Reality: Higher Premiums, Stricter Assessment

Premium Development by Age

For comparison: Those who start at 30 pay significantly less – more on this in our article Health Insurance at 30. You should also know the monthly costs in detail.

Entry Age	Monthly Premium (Private Room)	Additional Cost vs. 30-Year-Old
30 years	approx. €70	Reference
40 years	approx. €85	+21%
50 years	approx. €110-140	+57% to +100%
55 years	approx. €140-180	+100% to +157%
60 years	approx. €180-250	+157% to +257%

Note: Example values for typical private room tariffs without deductible. Actual premiums vary by insurer, health status, and tariff choice.

The Health Assessment Becomes More Critical

At 50, many people already have pre-existing conditions. Insurers check carefully:

Common Rejection Reasons:

• High blood pressure (medically treated)
• Type 2 diabetes
• Heart conditions
• Back problems with surgery history
• Mental health conditions
• Cancer history

Possible Consequences:

• Rejection of application
• Risk surcharges of 30-100%
• Exclusion of certain body regions
• Increased deductible

When Insurance at 50+ Is Still Worth It

Scenario 1: You're Perfectly Healthy

If you have no significant pre-existing conditions at 50, that's a stroke of luck. Use it:

• Full acceptance chance without surcharges
• Health status gets "frozen"
• Later illnesses are fully covered

Recommendation: Sign up now, before that changes.

Scenario 2: High Utilization Expected

If it's foreseeable that you'll need more medical services:

• Planned surgeries (knee, hip, back)
• Regular specialist visits
• Physiotherapy and rehabilitation

The cost of private treatment can quickly exceed the annual premium.

Scenario 3: Wait Times Unbearable

The wait times at public doctors in the public system hit older people particularly hard:

• Orthopedist: 6-8 weeks
• MRI: 8-12 weeks (Details: MRI Wait Times Private vs. Public)
• Hip surgery: 6-12 months

With private insurance, these times reduce to a few days.

Alternatives for 50+ with Pre-existing Conditions

1. Accident Private Room (Accident Tariff)

The Option Tariff Private Room After Accident is a popular alternative. If regular private room coverage is rejected:

Advantages:

• No or simplified health assessment
• Lower premiums (from approx. €15-25/month)
• Private room secured for accidents

Disadvantages:

• Only for accidents, not illness
• Planned surgeries not covered

2. Private Doctor Insurance with Deductible

Advantages:

• Easier acceptance than private room
• Shorter wait times for specialists
• Premiums from approx. €40-60/month

Disadvantages:

• No hospital comfort
• Deductible reduces benefits

3. Group Insurance Through Employer

Some employers offer group tariffs:

• Simplified or no health assessment
• Better conditions
• Often for older employees too

Tip: Ask your HR department.

Cost Example: Does It Pay Off?

Calculation Example for a 52-Year-Old

Assumptions:

• Monthly premium: €130
• Annual costs: €1,560
• Insurance duration: 20 years until 72

Total costs: approx. €31,200 (without premium increases)

Compared to:

• One private hip surgery: €15,000-25,000
• One private knee surgery: €8,000-15,000
• 10 private MRI scans: €3,500-5,000

Just one major surgery can justify several years of premiums.

Strategies for Premium Optimization

1. Higher Deductible

With a deductible of €1,000-2,000, you can reduce the premium by 30-40%. Read our detailed comparison: Private Room With or Without Deductible.

Makes sense if:

• You have financial reserves
• You rarely need hospitalization
• The lower premium is more important

2. Regional Tariff Instead of Austria-Wide Tariff

If you only use hospitals in your region anyway:

• Vienna tariff is more expensive than regional tariff
• Savings: 10-20%
• But: Restriction on hospital choice

3. Tariff Without Private Doctor Component

Pure private room (hospital only) is cheaper than combined tariffs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Insurance at 50+ – Yes or No?

There's no blanket answer. What matters is your health status, budget, and expectations of the healthcare system.

Which Insurers Still Accept 50-Year-Olds?

All major Austrian insurers (Allianz, UNIQA, Merkur, Wiener Städtische, Generali, Donau, Grawe, Muki) offer tariffs for this age group. However, acceptance practices vary. You can find a direct comparison of the two largest providers here: UNIQA vs. Merkur Comparison.

Is There an Age Limit?

Most insurers have a maximum entry age of 60-65 years for full insurance. Accident tariffs are often possible up to 70+.

What If I Get Rejected?

• Try another insurer
• Accident tariff as alternative
• Private doctor insurance without private room
• Check group insurance

Checklist: Private Health Insurance at 50+

Clarify Before Signing:

• [ ] Document current pre-existing conditions
• [ ] Compare multiple providers
• [ ] Check deductible options
• [ ] Note waiting periods (3-9 months)
• [ ] Consider cancellation of existing insurance
• [ ] Plan budget long-term

Documents to Have Ready:

• Medical reports from the last 5-10 years
• Medication list
• Previous hospital stays
• Current findings

Conclusion: Honest Assessment

Signing up for private health insurance at 50 is possible and can make sense – but it's no longer automatic.

The Truth:

• Premiums are higher than at 30 or 40
• Health assessment is stricter
• Pre-existing conditions can lead to exclusions

But Also:

• Healthy 50-year-olds have good chances
• The wait time advantages weigh heavily
• One major surgery can refinance the insurance

Make an honest comparison of your options – and don't wait even longer if you decide to sign up.

Related Articles:

• Private Health Insurance Austria – Main Page
• Is Private Room Insurance Worth It?
• Switching Health Insurance in Austria

---

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general guidance and does not constitute insurance advice. All premium and benefit information are non-binding example values. For a binding offer, contact an insurance advisor or the insurance providers directly.