Rösler opposes No additional contributions 2011

Rösler contradicts: No additional contributions to the statutory health insurance in 2011.

The Federal Minister of Health Philipp Rösler (FDP) contradicts presentations after 2011 and 2012 will come to the insured additional contributions to the statutory health insurance. On the contrary: By raising the cash contributions from 14.9 to 15.5 percent, the deficit in the health fund will be compensated.

In recent days, numerous media have reported that will come to the cash patients further additional contributions. Because the health insurance companies expect a deficit of 11 billion euros in the health fund. However, due to planned austerity measures and premium increases, the Federal Ministry of Health expects that there will be no further additional contributions for the insured. In any case, Rösler assumes that no other health insurance companies will make additional contributions. Health insurance companies that require an additional contribution from their members this year will most likely make an additional contribution in 2011 as well.

A few days ago, the head of the General Local Health Insurance Fund (AOK) warned that „on a broad front“ on the insured additional contributions will come. With „wide front“ could be meant that also other health insurance companies will make additional contributions due to the uncertain financial situation. However, Reichelt also noted that the premium increases must come in any case to make up for the deficit.

No additional contribution 2011 at the coffers
Opposed to the Rheinische Post Rösler contradicted the reports, in 2012, additional contributions would be pending. Through a „balanced reform package“ Most insured persons could be spared from the additional contributions, the minister told the daily newspaper „Rheinische Post“. Experts and health insurance companies expect a deficit of 11 billion euros for 2011. "At the moment everyone assumes that these eleven billion are realistic," said the head of the AOK. According to calculations by the AOK, the increase in regular health insurance premiums will result in an additional income of around six billion euros. However, this calculation leaves a shortfall of around five billion euros. However, according to the Federal Minister of Health, the increase in contributions is sufficient to fill the financial deficit. However, further austerity measures would have to follow, so that the statutory health insurance system is financed by. But Rösler limited his statement and confessed that the health insurance companies had to decide individually whether they make additional contributions. Because in the course of the health care reform, health insurances can in future determine the amount of the additional contribution.

In order to prevent higher contributions or further additional contributions, the AOK demanded that Reichelt give more freedom of action to negotiate cost-saving contracts with the drug manufacturers, clinics and doctors. According to the head of the AOK, costs for the health insurance companies could be reduced.

Further austerity measures with the health insurance companies
Rösler announced further austerity measures at the health insurance companies. The reimbursement in the statutory health insurance should in the future „be made more transparent“. The federal government is planning for this „comprehensible medical bills“ and a minimization of the sometimes high administrative costs at the cash registers. For this purpose, the insured should be encouraged to use the so-called reimbursement model in the future and to choose. The model is similar to the private health insurance. After a treatment at the doctor's the insured gets an invoice. First, the insured pays the medical bill. At the end of the year the costs will be submitted. At present, cash-desk patients are still charged 10 percent administrative costs, if the private medical bill is submitted. That should change according to the will of the Minister of Health. Such administrative costs should be abolished in the course of health care reform. The implementation of the Reform Act is scheduled for the first of January 2011. The aim should be that more insured people are interested in this model. To

Optional fares are gone
As part of the health care reform, a large part of the electoral tariffs at the coffers should fall away. Chefarztbehandlungen, single occupancy in clinics and the foreign health insurance should fall away. According to calculations of the health insurances, the health insurances develop deficits, the private health insurances, however, around one billion euros are cobbled by the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Health, however, has objected to such calculations. Such figures are allegedly without any basis. Nevertheless, the elimination of the elective tariffs will give the funds further shortfalls. How these losses can be recovered, says Rösler not. It is therefore to be expected that further savings will follow.

But additional contributions are a huge risk for the health insurance, as long as the other funds do not levy. According to recent calculations, around half a million insured persons changed their health insurance this year due to the additional contribution. Benefit of course, the health insurance companies, which make no additional contribution. Another problem is the poor payment behavior. About 10 percent of the insured are unable to pay the additional fee. Here, the Minister of Health is planning a collection procedure via the employer. Opposition to these plans came from the ranks of the Union. With such methods, it comes to additional burden on the employer. (Sb)

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Health insurance: contribution increases will come

Picture: Chris Beck