DAK additional contributions are to blame for the financial problem

DAK chief: additional contributions main reason for financial problems

27/05/2011

The German Employees Health Insurance (DAK) was facing financial problems, but could generate for the year 2011 according to own data even a first surplus. In March, however, the Federal Insurance Office (BVA) had called on the DAK to reduce the administrative costs, as last year, the cash register by additional contributions vorlor vorlor members. Similar to the CSU politician Max Staubinger, the chairman of the board of DAK demanded the abolition of the health fund. In addition, according to the DAK chief, a high-risk pool should be introduced, which allows for financial compensation for particularly cost-intensive patients.

The additional contributions introduced with the health fund are, in the opinion of Dr. Ing. Herbert Rebscher, the main reason for the financial imbalance of the DAK. After the health insurance fund introduced an additional contribution of eight euros in February 2010, hundreds of thousands of insured people left the DAK. As a result, the financial situation has further aggravated and the BVA was forced in March to recommend far-reaching savings to the DAK in order to ensure the long-term solvency of health insurance.

Hundreds of thousands leave the DAK because of the additional contribution
The Chief Executive Officer of DAK, Dr. Ing. Herbert Rebscher, now responsible for the financial requirements of the health fund and the introduction of additional contributions for the problems of the DAK. The third largest German health insurance fund, with around six million members, is one of the few large statutory health insurance companies that has so far made an additional contribution. Since February 2010, insured persons have had to pay eight euros out of their own pocket as an additional contribution. As a result, hundreds of thousands of DAK customers have decided to change their insurance, resulting in further structural problems at DAK. The administrative apparatus could not be reduced at the same pace as the members were dwindling. Although the DAK has decided after the savings of the BVA to remove about 800 jobs later this year, but the financial problems of insurance are not off the table.

Abolition of the health fund demanded
In order to become competitive again, the DAK Chairman Dr. Herbert Rebscher therefore a return to full financial independence of the statutory health insurance. Above all, the health insurance companies should be able to independently decide on the amount of their contribution rates, said Rebscher and pleaded for an abolition of the health fund. Compared to the „Handelsblatt“ the DAK boss continued: „The financial autonomy should go back to the coffers“. In addition, Rebscher criticized the previous risk structure compensation, the insurance for particularly costly members received. This is not enough to cover the real costs of caring for patients, Dr. Rebscher. According to the chairman of the DAK should „at least a high-risk pool will be created to compensate for the cost of particularly expensive patients“.

Further closures and emergency mergers of health insurance companies possible
The current regulations of the health fund lead in opinion of Dr. med. Rebscher also said that in such critical situations as the current bankruptcy of City BKK, the other statutory health insurance company from a purely business point of view, react hesitantly in the acquisition of the insured. They are also geared to the legal framework in terms of costs. Although the Abwimmelungsversuche with which some public health insurance companies have tried to prevent former City BKK customers from filing a request, were in principle shameful, „but the crocodile tears of politics are hypocritical“, stressed Rebscher. Because the health insurance companies would actually follow only the business logic of the new legal framework. Should the policy at this point decide no improvements, „Further closures or emergency mergers to avoid insolvency can not be ruled out“, explained the DAK chief. (Fp)

Also read:
DAK subsidizes osteopathy for children
Crisis mood at the DAK: Staff reduction threatens
DAK also demands an additional contribution in 2011
DAK: Job cuts through additional contributions
Is the health insurance DAK broke?