Health insurance expected 15 billion deficit

The Federal Insurance Office (BVA) expects the statutory health insurance next year, a deficit of about 15 billion euros.

In 2011, the deficit of the statutory health insurance (SHI) could rise to about 15 billion euros. This was the result of calculations by the Federal Insurance Office in Berlin. So far, a deficit of 12 billion euros was previously said, according to the recent assessment of the Federal Office, the 12 billion euro deficit could be far exceeded.

Already in the current year 2010, the health insurance will be missing about eight billion euros in the coffers. The deficit is currently being absorbed by taxpayers' money. Some health insurance companies want to absorb the deficit by lump-sum additional contributions. For example, the German Employees' Health Insurance Fund (DAK) has been collecting additional contributions from its members since February of this year. Health experts assume that around 51 million statutory health insurance will have to make additional contributions later this year.

Despite these raised additional contributions, the deficit in the coffers increases. Depending on the economic development in Germany, the deficit could rise to 15 billion euros. However, as economic development improves, the deficit could be significantly mitigated. With excellent economic development, the shortfall in health insurance could next year at 6.4 billion euros. So far, however, one can not exactly calculate how the development is going to be due to the economic crisis. However, economic experts do not expect such a positive development.

Working meetings of ministers without concrete results.
On Wednesday, under the chairmanship of FDP Minister of Health Philipp Rösler, a working group on health met. Eight other federal ministers directly or indirectly involved in the development of the health system participated in the meeting. Before the meeting, reports had become known that Rösler plans additional flat-rate additional contributions to the health insurance companies. As of 2011, all statutory health insurance members allegedly pay an additional 29 euros per month in addition to the statutory health care contributions. A lump sum means that the contributions should be levied irrespective of the insured person's income. But the meeting was without concrete results. However, according to the Federal Minister of Health, there is agreement that health care costs have to be decoupled from labor costs in order to effectively reduce non-wage labor costs in the long term. Translated, this means that the controversial capitation is sought. How and when does not seem to be certain yet.

What is striking about the working meeting is that the Federal Government evidently does not want to leave sole responsibility to the Federal Minister of Health. To disputed is the model of capitation, even within the coalition. Rösler aims to make a lump-sum contribution to health care, regardless of the employee's salary. For this purpose, Rösler also wants to freeze employer contributions at the current level of seven percent. Rightly this model is criticized as unsolid. Because well-earners and low-wage job seekers should then pay the same contributions. The health care should shrink to a "basic supply". Additional services should then be paid only by private supplementary insurance. Rösler responded to this criticism with a so-called tax-financed "social compensation" for the low-income. However, the Federal Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble (CDU) rejects such plans with reference to the general financial position. This may also be one of the reasons why Rösler has so far not presented any concrete plans for social compensation.

Solidary citizens' insurance as an alternative concept?
Counterproposals to the head lump sum were so far ignored by Rösler. A counter-proposal is likely to be solidary citizens' insurance. For example, the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) is planning a commission to draft a counter-proposal to the capitation fee. Even the top association of health insurance endeavors to present alternative concepts. Above all, the association has the expenditures of the health insurance in the field of vision. Here, the rising costs of doctors' fees, medicines and hospital treatments are targeted. These costs should initially be contained. (18.03.2010)

Further information on the topic:
Plant Rösler plans an additional 29 EUR per person?
Pharmacies: profit margins and density too high?
Health fund: Only those who are ill, bring money!