Additional contribution increases to over two percent: check time for switching funds and savings potential

Zusatzbeiträge 2024: Zeit zum Kassenwechsel?
Erstmals steigt der Zusatzbeitrag bei einigen Kassen auf über zwei Prozent – andere bleiben deutlich darunter. Zeit, die Kasse zu wechseln und dabei die Zusatzleistungen unter die Lupe zu nehmen. In einigen Extras schlummert zusätzliche Kostenersparnis.

Additional contributions and savings potential

High earners with a monthly gross income of 5,000 euros can save around 400 euros per year by switching from the most expensive to the cheapest nationwide health insurance company. This difference in contributions is due to the additional contribution that each fund charges individually and adjusts annually. Some health insurance companies have increased it to over two percent for the first time this year. The additional contribution is added to the general contribution rate of 14.6 percent.
Since voluntarily insured self-employed people pay the contributions themselves, the differences between the health insurance funds can be even more significant for them than for employees. In practice, the difference between the health insurance companies will not be that significant on average.

Time to change?

If you don't have any special demands on your health insurance company and don't use any additional services, you can switch to a cheaper insurance company simply for reasons of saving. However, it must be taken into account that ongoing treatments will be covered, while approved services can be re-examined.

Additional services

Before switching, it is worth checking the additional services that the health insurance companies can offer voluntarily. In the best case, you get more performance for less contribution by switching. In addition, various health insurance companies can offer special services such as extensive travel vaccinations, reimbursement of costs for dentures, extended preventive examinations or assistance with fertility treatments.

Requirements for change

The prerequisite for changing the fund is a twelve-month membership with the previous fund. Good service can be an important aspect for insured parties, but it does not always lead to cost savings.
Further information on the topic can be found here here.