Health insurance companies shock you with high additional contributions – switch now and save!

Health insurance companies shock you with high additional contributions – switch now and save!

More and more health insurance companies are increasing their additional contributions, which is putting a financial burden on many insured people. Increased cost shocks, especially at the beginning of the year, led to 82 health insurance companies increasing their additional contributions to an average of 2.9 percent. This development not only affects newly insured people, but also affects existing customers who may have been surprised by the increases. The Association of Replacement Funds (vdek) also expects further increases in contributions, while eight funds submitted applications for increases in July of this year. Doris Pfeiffer, head of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds, described the current situation as “dramatic” and warned of the financial consequences for those insured.

The general contribution rate for statutory health insurance (GKV) is 14.6 percent, which is shared between employer and employee. The additional contribution is calculated as a percentage of the income subject to contributions; This currently averages 2.9 percent. Good news for insured people: If the health insurance company increases its additional contribution or raises it for the first time, you enjoy a special right of termination. This applies until the end of the month in which the new contribution comes into force, even if the insured person has been insured with the health insurance company for less than 12 months.

Cost reduction through switching

Switching to a health insurance company with lower additional contributions is the only way to reduce costs. The ten cheapest health insurance companies, whose additional contributions are less than 2.5 percent, are particularly outstanding. The bkk firmus is the cheapest option, followed by the commercial health insurance fund (hkk). An example illustrates the savings potential: Switching from Knappschaft to bkk firmus could result in savings of up to 533 euros with a gross income of 4,000 euros.

Company health insurance companies, which are often offered by larger employers, can also require cheaper contribution models. According to the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds, there are currently 21 company health insurance companies listed that may offer even more attractive conditions.

Information and transparency

In addition, statutory health insurance companies are obliged to inform their members in a timely manner about increases in additional contributions. Health insurance companies must provide their members with this information no later than one month before the new contributions come into force. If the increased additional contribution is above the average additional contribution rate, the health insurance companies are also required to communicate the possibility of switching to a more cost-effective health insurance company.

In the current situation, it is therefore advisable for insured persons to closely follow the developments of their health insurance company and, if necessary, to make use of their special right of termination. Finally, it should be emphasized that the choice of health insurance company depends not only on the services offered, but also, in particular, on the level of the contribution rate, which has a significant influence on the financial burden on the insured.