New PKV tariff for non-payers

PKV industry wants new special tariff for non-payers

05/12/2011

As previously reported, the number of defaulting contributors in private health insurance has almost doubled. In response, industry leaders have announced that they will introduce a special tariff for non-payers. Initial negotiations are already under way.

By the third quarter of 2011, according to the Debeka private health insurers had to pay out payments of more than half a billion euros (554 million). The reason: more and more private patients can no longer pay the contributions of private health insurance. As part of the health care reform in 2009, compulsory insurance for all people in Germany was introduced. This obligates every German citizen to insure himself legally or privately. Since then, private health insurance providers can no longer release defaulting payers from health insurance, even if the contributions are no longer paid.

Cheap deals have caused down payments with
The problem is also home-made: Above all, insurance companies, which were at low tariffs on customer catch, are affected by the financial losses of their insured. In particular, small businesses have private health instead of statutory health insurance because of the favorable offers. Because many business ideas did not work, the contributions paid off as well. Even the lock system hardly worked, since only a few moved to next higher tariffs. Insurance companies have now recognized this, which is why many are leaving the low-cost segment.

Nonpayers cause contribution losses
The non-payers are now taken by the industry as an opportunity to increase individual tariffs by up to 40 percent. In addition, the private health insurance now wants to set up a special tariff for non-payers. According to information of „Doctors newspaper“ This tariff is to be offered with mini-contributions to those whose payments have been absent for a long time. In return, only an emergency care is guaranteed. This means that the customer can only consult a doctor in case of serious illness.

New special rate in conversation
Actually, the so-called basic tariff was created for the financially weak. This is based on the health services of the statutory health insurance. But with monthly contributions between 350 and 500 euros, this is too expensive for insolvent or indebted customers. Whether such a special rate as „Third-party insurance cover“ Now the Federal Ministry of Health has to decide. There was no opinion from the ministry. (Sb)

Read on:
Contributor: PKV increases massively tariffs
Private health insurance: Worth a change?
PKV introductory rates often offer less than the GKV

Picture: Gerd Altmann