Sanctions planned for defaulting additional contribution

Federal Health Minister Philipp Rösler (FDP): Who does not pay the defined additional contribution of the health insurance, should be sanctioned.

(13.08.2010) Since the beginning of the year numerous health insurance companies charge an additional contribution. More and more insured of the statutory health insurance companies do not pay the additional contribution estimated by their health insurance. On the other hand, Health Minister Philipp Rösler (FDP) now wants to proceed and sanction defaulting health insurance. For this purpose, Rösler wants to insert its own passage into the bill on health care reform.

Accordingly, the employer of the defaulting contributor to step in and deduct a higher contribution rate from the gross salary for health insurance. Who does not pay the additional contribution voluntarily, should according to the plans Rösler´s can no longer use the planned social compensation. In addition, the general insured contribution in 2011 will be raised from the current 14.9% to 15.5%.

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According to a survey by the "Thüringer Allgemeine", every fifth member of the DAK, BKK Gesundheit and BKK für Heilberufe did not pay the additional contribution. At City BKK, about one quarter of those insured did not pay the additional contributions, while at the KKH even more than 30 percent refused. Because of the small amount of currently 8 euros per month a debt collection procedure is not worthwhile, as a spokeswoman for the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds announced. However, the association had already considered how to oblige defaulting health insured to pay the additional contribution: "If necessary, the health insurances in turn could shut down their performance, the defaulting member about just grant a claim to emergency care," said a spokeswoman , (Sb)

Picture: Harry Hautumm