Big relief for millions insured

Federal Health Minister expects lower cash contributions for 20 million insured

07/03/2014

In the future, health insurances should be allowed to levy additional contributions depending on the income, the amount of which the funds themselves determine. At the same time, there is no longer a uniform special contribution for employees. Federal Health Minister Hermann Gröhe (CDU) expects relief for about 20 million insured. In the coming year insured could choose between cheaper and more expensive health insurance, said Gröhe compared to the „Passauer New Press ".

Alleged discharge of the insured could be an additional burden
According to the Federal Minister of Health, some health insurance funds would make an additional contribution of the same amount instead of the current special contribution of 0.9 per cent. Then nothing will change for the insured. But there would also be funds that were financially so well placed that they could demand a lower additional contribution. „Still others will increase their additional contribution, "said Gröhe to the newspaper. „According to our calculations, in the next year about 20 million insured persons could be relieved by lower contributions. "At the same time, however, the insurers can no longer distribute premiums to their insured persons, which currently benefits about ten million insured persons.

Experts estimate that additional contributions will increase over the coming years instead of falling. For example, an increase of between 1.5 and 1.7 percent of income is expected for 2017 - at the expense of the insured. (Ag)

Picture: GG-Berlin