PKV again plans to increase contributions in 2013

Experts expect PKV contribution increases in the double-digit range

08/07/2012

Once again, many private health insurance companies will increase their tariff contributions at the end of the year. Despite the favored reforms of the black-yellow federal government, the year 2012 will not be a profitable year for the private health insurance industry. Like insider of „insurance Journal“ Some private insurance companies have already announced that they will adjust some double-digit tariffs. A tariff is even revised upwards by 65 percent.

Above all, new customers have the disadvantage
More and more insured, who are lured by cheap new customer offers, have the disadvantage. These contracts experience year after year strong tariff adjustments. While the public health insurance companies could produce billions in surplus and negotiate good deals with the clinics, pharmaceutical manufacturers and doctors, the private health insurance companies often have the disadvantage. Demographic change, rising expenditure on health care and low interest rates on old-age provision are increasingly putting private health insurance companies in the dust. Although some companies claim of „stable contributions“ But most vendors will have no choice but to increase tariffs again at the turn of the year. Because not an insurance company gives a guarantee for a stable contribution at the present time, although the calculations for the coming year are likely to be completed. In addition, it is surprising that the majority of providers continue to provide positive forecasts for life insurance, but discreetly discourage private health insurances with publications.

In the course of the health care reform, the black and yellow federal government had greatly simplified the change from the legal to the private sector. This was intended to revive the new customer business. In fact, the industry has seen strong growth. The strongest increase was observed in the so-called lock offers. But it is precisely these tariffs that are naturally the most expensive. Sven Teuerich, insurance expert from Celle: „Anyone who has ever changed from the GKV to private health insurance, for whom the way is closed forever“. With rising tariffs the affected ones remains mostly only the reduction of the achievements. „For who wants to change the provider, on the one hand can not take the retirement provisions and on the other he has to undergo a renewed health check“. Mostly then no more favorable contracts can be concluded. What often remains, is only the change in the next cheaper rate within the provider. But an investigation recently showed that the „First-class care“ mostly only „sound and smoke“ is. In many cases, many rates have massive performance gaps and offer less than the statutory health insurance. Quite often there is the question of where to save even more?

Older private insured can pay hardly any contributions
But not only the new customers often have the disadvantage. Already last year, especially the older customers had the disadvantage. Here, the contributions of various providers often rose by 10 to 20 percent. Those who then only have a low pension slip quickly into poverty, because the contributions are different than the GKV not the income, but based on the tariff. Not infrequently, privately insured seniors must spend one to two thirds of their income for private health insurance. So it is no wonder that the private health insurance complains itself that more and more insured can not pay their contributions. For them, there is already a model called „non-payers“. Then only acute emergency supplies will be financed. A situation that affects not a few people.

Price increases of up to 65 percent
And this year too, the price screw will be turned again vigorously in many companies. Thus, some experts indicate that, for example, the Hallesche health insurance in the peak premiums by a whopping 65 percent (child and youth rate NK4) wants to raise. In addition, the Central will probably increase their premiums. So far, it is said, the increases are still in the single digits remain. In addition, deductibles are to be adjusted upwards. Not for nothing, therefore, is the criticism of the PKV. (Sb)

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Image: Michael Staudinger