If you purchase a private medical insurance plan from a German health insurance company that provides a certificate recognized by the German government (Paragraph 257 SGB V Arbeitgeberbescheinigung) you may take advantage of the same employer subsidies as a government plan member. This translates to approximately 309 Euros per month of employer subsidy towards the cost of your private health insurance policy and 50% of the premiums paid for your private nursing care insurance. If such certification is not provided, your employer has the option, but is under no obligation, to compensate you for part of the cost of your medical insurance. Most German employers now demand this certificate as proof that your insurance benefits meet the regulations.