Number of health insurance companies fell significantly in 2011

Only 156 statutory health insurance in 2011

14/02/2011

The number of statutory health insurance has fallen continuously since the 70 years. If there were still 1815 different funds in 1970, the number has shrunk to 156 in 2011.

Initially, the vast majority of mergers took place within the individual health insurance associations (eg AOK, BKK). Individual health insurance companies joined together in cities and regions. Later, mergers also took place on supraregional and cross-city within the associations. Later also followed cross-Länder and from 2009 also cross-fund mergers. The first comprehensive alliance was the Techniker Krankenkasse with the IKK Direkt.

To date, there are only 156 health insurance companies, with the 32 largest statutory health insurance companies serving about 90 percent of the health insurance patients. The remaining health insurances now cover only 10 percent of the statutory health insurance market. Another 10 percent are members of the private health insurance.

In 2009, a single health insurance contribution rate was introduced as part of the creation of the Health Fund. Today, the parity-funded contribution rate is 15.5 percent. Prior to the standard rate, the health insurance funds have competed with each other mainly through different contribution rates. Since the health care reform at the turn of the year 2011, the health insurances are to compete mainly with special health services and the amount of the additional contribution. At present, only a minority of funds require an additional contribution. A total of 13 health insurance make additional contributions. On average, the coffers require an additional contribution of eight euros.

The number of so-called „open health insurance“ currently 111. The others are open only to the employees of affiliated companies / employers. In this area, most mergers are likely to occur in the future. Health economists assume that the number of health insurances will continue to be significantly reduced this year as well. Many health insurance companies are already announcing a merger.

Currently, around 70 million people are covered by statutory health insurance. Among them are also non-contributory family members in the family co-insurance. Barmer GEK is currently the largest health insurance company with around 8.5 million members. The following is the German employee health insurance (DAK) with 6.4 million members and the Techniker health insurance with 7.6 million. (Sb)

Picture: Rainer Sturm