Health insurance companies achieve record surpluses

Statutory health insurance funds achieve record surpluses: additional contributions in 2012 largely excluded

05/12/2011

The statutory health insurance companies achieved a surplus of around 3.9 billion euros in the first to third quarters of 2011. The highest revenues were enjoyed by AOK and the Ersatzkassen. Nevertheless, the amounts for insured persons should rise. For the time being, AOK-Verbandschef excludes additional contributions for the coming year.

High income and yet increasing contributions for insured
The statutory health insurance companies were able to post about 137.7 billion euros in the first to third quarters. In contrast, expenditure of 133.7 billion euros. The largest surpluses were achieved by AOK and the replacement funds with the most insured persons. According to a spokesman for the Federal Ministry of Health, 6 percent of spending was reduced in the pharmaceutical sector. This can be attributed to the legal measures. The spokesman further reports that most of the cash surpluses are tied up to form reserves against revenue crises. Profitability is still indicated. While expenditures were reduced in the pharmaceutical sector, the cost of outpatient medical care per insured person increased by 2.3 percent. 3.8 percent more was spent on screening. Although the regular contributions of the health insurance companies are not increased, however, the insured persons have to adjust due to the planned care reform also additional costs.

Less revenue expected in Q4 2011
After the 1st to 3rd quarter of 2011 was very rosy for the health insurance companies, Experts expect significantly higher expenses for the 4th quarter, as experience shows that this is the case every year. Increased expenditure of up to 1.5 billion euros is expected. The health fund also recorded a surplus in the first three quarters: around 1.37 billion euros. If one calculates the „Christmas bonus effect“ In addition, the GKV circle of valuers expects a surplus of around 4.2 billion euros at the end of the year and a liquidity reserve of around 8.6 billion euros.

Since the funds from the health fund are largely planned, the insured here go out empty handed: three billion euros are the legally required minimum reserve, two billion euros are kept for social resources and two and a half percent are available for increasing expenditure on health insurance.

Probably no new additional contributions
Fortunately, due to the positive prognosis, no new additional contributions from the statutory health insurance funds for 2012 are to be expected. AOK head of association Jürgen Graalmann reports on the positive development of the AOK: „Overall, the 2011 surplus will be sufficient to spare AOK members additional contributions even in times of economic crisis.“ (Ag)

Image: Gerd Altmann, Pixelio.de