PKV base fare is increased

The maximum contribution rate of the PKV base rate is increased: The private health insurance sets a new maximum contribution to the PKV basic rate. This creates a new employer share for employees with private insurance.

20.01.2011

In the course of health care reform, the contributions of the statutory health insurance have increased. In addition, the Federal Government has decided to considerably simplify the entry requirements for a change from the statutory health insurance to private health insurance. This, in turn, has implications for all private health insurers, who now have to adjust their tariffs accordingly.

Employer's share is frozen
In the context of the health reform, an adjustment of the maximum contribution of the basic rate as well as an adjustment of the employer's share was made. The employer's share was set at 7.3 percent and will not increase in future increases in cash contributions. The real aim of health care reform is to relieve employers of their financial burden. Thus, by freezing the employer's share, a decoupling of non-wage labor costs with health care costs was achieved. The abandonment of the solidarity principle of equal funding was deliberately implemented by the black-and-yellow coalition. Health economists predict that people are getting older as a result of social change. In addition, new technical achievements in the field of medicine are always better chances of recovery, however, the health insurance companies at the same time complain ever higher expenses. Ultimately, the additional expenses are then passed on to the insured, who in turn must pay higher contributions. Employers are spared cash increases, as their share never exceeds 7.3 percent. This new regulation affects private and statutory health insurance to the same extent.

Maximum contribution rate of base rate will be adjusted
The increase in contributions of the statutory funds affect the consequence also the private offerers. An example is the change in the contribution rate of the base rate. Since the tariff is based on the GKV premium increases and on the new contribution assessment limits, the maximum amount of a basic tariff rises to 575.40 euros per month. This means that a private health insurer does not have to pay more than this amount. The basic tariff is a uniform tariff in the private health insurance industry and is based on the benefits of the statutory health insurance funds. Whether someone is sick or old, inclusion in a base rate may not be rejected by the insurers. The basic tariff was introduced to make it possible to insure even financially distressed privately insured persons.

Entitlement to employee share of employed private insured persons
Employed PKV insured persons are entitled to an employer's share. The respective amount of the employer grant depends on the regular income threshold. The current contribution assessment limit is 44,550 euros per year or 3712.50 per month. Any additional income is no longer included in the calculation of health insurance contributions. The subsidy is 50 per cent of the insurance premium. However, only the sum of the maximum contribution for the statutory health insurance is measured. This means that the employer's share is never more than 296 euros per month. Up to a monthly premium of 592 Euro PKV insured actually get a 50 percent employer's share. All amounts must be borne by the insured person alone.

addendum: The maximum rate of the PKV base rate has not risen, but has fallen slightly. In 2010, the maximum rate was € 581.25 per person. In 2011, the maximum rate is € 575.40 per insured person. (Sb)

Also read:
Hartz IV judgment: claim to full costs of PKV
New special rules for PKV change
Separation of private health insurance and GKV a discontinued model?
Private health insurance: that changes
The health care reform comes into force
Contributions of the private health insurance rise

Picture: Rainer Sturm