Health insurance One third charge additional contributions

The statutory health insurance funds are cautious in collecting the additional contributions in the coming year. Nevertheless, further deficits are expected.

Do the statutory health insurance companies demand further additional contributions from their insured persons in the coming year? As of January 1, 2011, the general compulsory health insurance contributions will be raised from 14.9 to 15.5 percent as part of health care reform. This has long been a matter for the black-and-yellow federal government. From the first of January, however, the funds may determine the amount of the lump-sum additional contributions themselves. Social organizations, trade unions and consumer advocates therefore warned against one „capitation“ through the back door.

Premium increase to 15.5 percent from 2011
One thing is certain, the general rise in health insurance premiums is raised to 15.5 percent. This compensates for much of the deficit in the health fund. But it is also clear that the employer's share of health insurance is frozen. This means that all future increases in contributions are borne by the insured persons alone. However, rising expenditures in the healthcare system are expected for the coming year. So far, the expenditure of the funds increased from year to year massively. This raises the question of whether additional contributions by the insured the health insurance companies are required.

Two-thirds of the health insurance companies want to forego additional contributions for the time being
Light in the darkness brought a survey of the Stiftung Warentest at all SHI health insurance in Germany. According to the survey results, two-thirds of health insurance companies want „for the time being“ forego additional contributions. Because for the coffers are such additional contributions „Double-edged sword“. On the one hand, more income can be booked, on the other hand, especially young members change the cash register, if an additional contribution is made. As a result, the total revenue could fall significantly again. Therefore, 76 out of the 114 health insurances surveyed told Stiftung Warentest that in 2011 they would initially have to forego an additional contribution. But by the contribution increase, the foundation has calculated that the health insurance by this increase for an average earner with 2,500 euros gross salary per month by 7.50 euros more expensive.

Increasing additional contributions are still expected
Whether this will stay that way is questionable. Because spending is steadily increasing relative to revenues and the planned savings are far from sufficient, the average additional contribution in 2015 could already be 33 euros per month, according to a DGB study. For the year 2025 even an additional contribution of 150 euros is predicted. The additional contribution is levied independently of the gross salary and is the same for all insured persons. According to the plans of the Minister of Health Philipp Rösler „socially weaker“ get compensation. How exactly this looks, the Minister has not said so far. Obviously, the rising costs will have to be borne by the insured in the future alone. (sb, 20.10.2010)

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