die Ersatzkasse
Translation
substitute health insurance fund, statutory health insurance fund
Examples
Ich bin bei einer Ersatzkasse versichert.
I am insured with a substitute health insurance fund.
Die Beiträge der Ersatzkassen sind oft günstiger.
The contributions for substitute health insurance funds are often cheaper.
Grammar Patterns
to be insured with ((sth.)) bei einer Ersatzkasse versichert sein
Similar Words
AOK (Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse), BKK (Betriebskrankenkasse)
Etymology
From 'Ersatz' (substitute) + 'Kasse' (fund, cash box). Historically, they were a 'substitute' for the traditional local health funds.
Memory Tips
Think of it as a type of statutory health insurance that serves as an alternative or 'substitute' to the primary local funds.