PKV reduces contributions to long-term care insurance

PKV reduces contributions to long-term care insurance

10.02.2012

Long-term care insurance in private health insurance (PHI) has fallen significantly since the beginning of 2012. According to the Association of Private Insurers (PKV-Verband), contributions have fallen between two and ten percent, depending on the age of the insured person.

The contributions from the compulsory long-term care insurance of private health insurers fell again at the beginning of the year. According to the PKV Association Chairman Volker Leienbach's contributions to many providers are thus lower than 17 years ago, when compulsory insurance was introduced. For Leienbach, the development is proof that the capital adequacy system is a superiority to the other systems. Therefore, the association director welcomed the plans of the black and yellow federal government. "Against this background, it is therefore also to be welcomed that the Federal Government wants to support the citizens in establishing a supplementary private care provision."

Contributions dropped since law change
Exactly 17 years ago (1995), a 35-year-old private insured person had to spend € 26.41 per month on his private long-term care insurance. Today, the same insured only has to shell out 23.23 euros per month. In addition, the scope of services has improved since the introduction in some respects. Leienbach expects that the contribution situation will also improve in the coming year.

Financial incentives for private long-term care insurance
Industry experts expect that the black and yellow federal government in the future will support the conclusion of private health insurance and private long-term care insurance. It is currently being discussed whether insured persons can claim tax benefits in the future and thus the costs become deductible. Individual statements aim to enable even insured persons with lower incomes to take out private insurance by paying grants from the state. The Federal Minister of Health Daniel Bahr (FDP) had recently announced to examine new models in long-term care insurance. For some time now, it has been necessary to introduce a capital cover system in addition to the statutory long-term care insurance. The reason: Due to demographic change, people in Germany are getting older and older. Diseases such as Alzheimer's and dementia are increasing significantly. To be insured in case of need, the citizens should also insure themselves privately. (Sb)

Picture: Gerd Altmann