Ever higher additional contributions?

The additional contributions of the statutory health insurance funds should increase.

(27.07.2010) According to the will of the Federal Government, the limitation of the upper limit of the additional contributions is to be dropped in the course of the health reform. From the coming year 2011, the health insurance companies are allowed to set the upper limit for additional contributions independently. Currently, the additional contribution of the statutory health insurance is limited to a maximum of 1 percent of the gross salary of the employee. The maximum additional contribution is 37.50 euros per month.

Currently, a number of health insurance companies charge an additional contribution of a flat rate of eight euros per month. But that could change soon. Because the economic situation of the funds is more than tense. In the coming year, a deficit of 11 billion euros in the health insurance is expected. There are still no real solutions in sight to stop the deficit.

To avert an imminent bankruptcy, more and more funds are using the additional funds. From next year, the upper limit is to be raised to two percent. But the maximum value of the gross wage may be confiscated, then falls away. This means that well-paid employees might then pay far more than 37.50 euros per month. The general health insurance contribution should also be raised from the current 14.9% to 15.5%. It is even feared that the contributions will continue to increase in the future.

However, insured persons can also make use of a special right of termination if the health insurance fund levies additional contributions. But beware: Notice of termination must be submitted no later than two months after the end of the month and after notification of the additional contributions. Some citizens also believe that switching to private health insurance could help to minimize premium increases. But here, too, caution is needed, as one of our contributions explains. (Sb)

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