PKV tariffs in the goods test Save many euros

Stiftung Warentest examines tariffs of private health insurance

04/15/2014

A study of the offer of the private health insurance (PKV) by the Stiftung Warentest shows that private insured in many fares pay too high contributions. You could get the same insurance coverage at another provider much cheaper. Of the 107 tariffs tested „five a very good value for money“, reports the Stiftung Warentest. In general, a private health insurance but not for everyone and the insured should also bear in mind when changing insurance that the contributions of private health insurance can increase dramatically in old age, the Stiftung Warentest.

According to the Foundation, in the current test „only the strongest offers“ of private health insurance. Accordingly, the testers in the evaluation of 107 tariffs for civil servants, employees and self would be permanent „comprehensive minimum requirements, because good private health insurances should at least offer as much as the statutory health insurance funds“, reports the Stiftung Warentest. In the analysis of the price-performance ratio received at least five tariffs one „very good“ Note, however, also cut eight tariffs with one „inadequate“ from.

Tripling the PKV contribution up to the retirement age
A private health insurance is worth the current test results, especially for civil servants, since her „Service with the aid of a part of the health costs (bears) - also for their children and for the non-profit spouse.“ Accordingly you need „only insurance for the remaining part of the health costs“, whereas they „in the statutory health insurance pay the full contribution itself“ would need, so the message of the Stiftung Warentest. For employees and self-employed, however, the decision was much more difficult. The testers recommend that you contact us twice „whether they can afford the contributions in private insurance in the long run.“ Because „If you are in your mid-30s, you must expect to pay at least three times the amount of the pension due when the insurance was taken out“, explains the Stiftung Warentest.

Careful consideration should be given to changes in private health insurance
A change in the private health insurance also wants to be considered against the background that the return to the statutory health insurance (SHI) is usually not possible. „From the 55th year of life the way back is almost impossible for everyone“, so the Stiftung Warentest. In addition, the judge „Contribution in the private insurance - unlike in the statutory health insurance - not according to the income, but among other things according to the extent of the contractually agreed benefits and according to the age and health condition of the customer upon entry.“ In old age, there is a risk of substantial increases in contributions, as the insurance companies calculate the contribution based on the costs incurred. If incomes fall at the same time as income, the contribution can become a problem and those affected may be forced to change their tariffs, with the base rate possibly remaining the last option. Private insurers must offer them to members who can no longer afford another tariff. However, they lose their formerly extensive benefit claims.

PKV only for very wealthy self-employed and salaried employees
Employees and self-employed should be aware of the threat of contribution increases „only insure privately if they are either very wealthy or can put aside a few hundred euros each month from the conclusion of the contract, so that they have enough money for the then higher contributions in old age“, this is the conclusion of Stiftung Warentest. For the higher costs offer the PKV tariffs according to the current test results, however, also significantly higher benefits than the statutory health insurance. In addition, the insured persons would be able to assemble their own insurance cover from many existing private health insurance funds on the basis of a kind of modular principle. Here are the „the most important building blocks for all insured persons of the outpatient, inpatient and dental rates“, explains the Stiftung Warentest. Furthermore, would „Even permanent workers and workers need a sickness allowance, which replaces their earnings at work incapacity.“

Many private insurers have improved their offer
In the current test, the Stiftung Warentest has also shown, „that many insurers are improving their offers“ when they had to change their contracts in early 2013 anyway, „because since then offers with equal contributions for men and women are prescribed by law.“ In the new Unisextarifen would „For example, comprehensive services for psychotherapy or for aids such as expensive hearing aids“ covered, what „with many older offers not the case“ was. Furthermore, would „Many private insurances now even include benefits that were previously reserved almost exclusively for the legally insured“, such as home health care, outpatient cures, inpatient rehabilitation measures and the dying accompaniment for the terminally ill. (Fp)