Bahr demands premiums from health insurances

Health Minister calls on health insurances to pay out further premiums

07/15/2013

Because the statutory health insurance funds have record reserves, the Federal Minister of Health Daniel Bahr (FDP) calls on them to pay out in the last year alone about 28 billion euros saved in the form of premiums to the insured.

No general reduction of contributions
Numerous health insurance companies have already decided to set up additional health benefits or to distribute premiums to the health insured. But that's not enough for the Minister of Health. „Some funds have considerable potential there“ said the minister on Monday opposite the "Central Bavarian newspaper". After all „it is the money of the insured“, so Bahr. A lowering of insured contributions rejects the FDP politician, however. „The financial situation of the health insurance is very different“. Not all funds could achieve surpluses.

Premiums up to 125 euros
To date, a good 18 health insurance companies have paid a single premium to the insured. The sums here vary between 30 and 125 euros. The well-situated Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) paid out premiums of 80 euros. The highest premium was paid by BKK Scheufelen. Here, the insured received 125 euros.

In addition, more and more funds also offer additional services such as naturopathy and osteopathy. Thus, the health insurance companies try to improve their health services. (Sb)

Image: Thomas Siepmann