Table 2 Selected quotes on insurance

Basic health insurance

Male survivor, >25 years since treatment (2M)

Once, I had to make my scar more beautiful, and the […] health insurance would only finance the cheapest [treatments], but otherwise I never had problems, I just could not change the supplementary [health] insurance, but otherwise they [health insurance] were very accommodating.

Female survivor, 6-15 years since treatment (5F)

A while ago, I had broken a tooth because of the radiation. [...] They wanted to do a dental crown, which costs a lot of money, and the health insurance said they won't pay. [...] Because they say it can't be because of the radiation. Now I am covered by the legal insurance of my parents, with a lawyer backing it up, now we are suing the health insurance so that they have to pay for the tooth. I have all the documents from the radiation – from the dentist, my ENT specialist and from the radiation. It really happened and it's not my fault. It was actually expected that these problems would already arise 5 years ago, because they often break after 5 years, but I took care of my teeth too well. Brushing my teeth too well. And seeing as it is only happening now, in their opinion, it is too late now. In their point of view there can’t be any connection because it is too long ago. And well my ENT specialist says, because she took such good care of it, it's 5 years later; "Don't be stupid, just pay for it." Yes, yes, and by law they should pay. Health insurance article 19, ((laughs)) I have learned that, yes, I also had a meeting with the lawyer who is looking into it, and he said they have to pay.

Disability insurance

Female survivor, 16-25 years since treatment (16F)

[after finding a late effect] my doctor also thought that we should clarify about applying for DI and so on, and I said right away that I didn't want to, because there are enough DI recipients who shouldn't be, where it's actually not justified [...] I don't feel as if I'm entitled to demand something like that, because I can work 100%, I've been in this profession for two and a half years now after my apprenticeship, and yes, I never had the feeling that I needed or wanted it.

Female survivor, 6-15 years since treatment (27F)

I know I was once told I could get DI if I wanted to. I missed jumping on that train because I just thought, no, I'm doing very well. There are people who really need it, who have to get DI and now I have been thinking, why didn't I do that back then and just seize this opportunity. Not to exploit, not at all, but more like, then I could have looked more after, a little better after my health. But now it's like this and it's going well, so now I have the feeling that I don't need to apply for DI, but maybe I could take better care of myself, because then it would look better financially.

Private insurance

Female survivor, >25 years since treatment (22F)

But I realize now, just like that, other life insurance policies or even occupational insurance or [supplementary] health insurance, which I have taken out because of my job, that there are simply restrictions everywhere. Even the best insurance agent can't fix more than that. They just say like, […] if you have this and that, then they don't pay it, they only pay for broken legs, broken arms, but if I have anything like that with blood, they don't pay anything. Interviewer: even if it was how many years ago, actually? Participant: Yes it is stupid, it was at the age of five and a half and so 31 years [later]. No, they do not pay it.

Male survivor, 6-15 years since treatment (4M)

 I mean she [insurance broker] knew that I had had this, but she also knew that I am healthy and that I will not have a relapse. Well they say, after ten years, they say, you are healthy so you are completely cured. In fact, you will not relapse anymore and because of that you can indicate it [disease history] without hesitation. Then you no longer have to declare it […] and you can change [supplementary health insurance] freely.