Lower additional contribution to BKK Novitas

Less additional contribution at BKK Novitas than planned.

(25.08.2010) The health insurance „BKK Novitas“ requires its members to make retrospective contributions since the first of July. Originally, the health insurance company wanted to introduce the additional contribution of eight euros per month on the first of April 2010. But the cashier still had to wait for the approval of the Federal Insurance Office. There they have now given the green light.

The approximately 340,000 insured persons of BKK Novitas must be prepared for additional contributions. From 1 July 2010, the health insurance will introduce an additional contribution. Since the date is in the past, the members have to pay the additional contribution retrospectively. The health insurance company had already announced for months to raise the flat-rate additional contribution from its members. The annual sum is € 48 per insured person and the monthly contribution is € 8. From next year, if the health insurance company continues to demand additional contributions, cash patients must prepare themselves for an additional annual contribution of 96 euros. The cash register has now begun to inform the members.

If a health insurance company raises an additional contribution, those affected have the option of changing the health insurance fund. However, the change must be made within a prescribed period. If a health insurance patient is informed about the introduction of the additional contribution, the health insurance fund can be terminated at the time at which the premium increase or reimbursement reduction takes effect. However, the change to the new health insurance must be done seamlessly, as there is a health insurance in Germany. This means that in case of termination, the new health insurance must already be established.

In the event of a change, it should also be noted that other health insurance companies will also be able to make an additional contribution in the future. Therefore it is important to compare exactly and to observe the announcements of the cash registers. Some statutory health insurance companies have already announced that they will not raise additional contributions in 2011. However, it is planned in the course of the health care reform to let the health insurance companies in the future with the organization of the additional contributions free hand. This means that the additional contributions will in future be determined by the funds themselves and are no longer restricted by law. (Sb)

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Health insurance withdraws from eligibility
Health insurance additional contributions also in 2011
No additional contributions for Hartz IV recipients

Picture: Günter Havlena