Health insurance companies show 500 million euros minus on additional contributions come

Health insurance companies report high deficits in the first half of the year
The statutory health insurance companies in Germany posted a deficit of almost half a billion euros in the first half of the year. Nevertheless, according to the Ministry of Health, the financial situation is "stable". Nevertheless, it is expected soon with increasing contributions from the statutory health insurance.

"Reserves of more than 15 billion euros"
In the first half of 2015, the statutory health insurance, according to a message from the news agency dpa a deficit of 490 million euros retracted. Nevertheless, the situation is not dramatic. Federal Health Minister Hermann Gröhe (CDU) said: "With reserves of more than 15 billion euros, the financial situation of the statutory health insurance continues to be stable." According to the information, the receipts of the funds totaling 106.1 billion, spending at 106.6 billion euros , According to the ministry, the deficit stems from the fact that many health insurances have demanded a rather low additional contribution from their insured persons.

Health insurance companies already posted a deficit in the first half of the year. Experts expect additional contributions. Picture: Jürgen Fälchle-fotolia

Supplementary contributions are probably raised
On average, this was 0.83 percent. According to experts, 0.9 percent would have been necessary. The cash contribution that employers and employees each share in half is currently 14.6 percent of the gross income. As part of the black-red health care reform, the health insurance funds were allowed to demand an additional contribution from their members. For some time, increasing contributions in the GKV is expected. The Kassen-Spitzenverband has now described a rise in the average additional contribution rate of between 0.2 and 0.3 contribution rate points at the upcoming turn of the year as realistic.

Rising drug expenditure
Health insurance is said to still have a cushion of € 23.8 billion, with the Health Fund's reserve of € 8.6 billion. But despite the well-filled cash threatens an increase in additional contributions. One reason for this is the rise in healthcare costs. For example, pharmaceutical spending increased dramatically in 2015. Newly approved drugs for hepatitis C play a role here. While chronic hepatitis C may be better treatable in the future, the costs for such therapy are, according to experts, up to 60,000 euros. (Ad)