Austerity course of the coffers expected

Additional contributions: Federal Government expects austerity program of the health insurance companies

09/06/2014

Due to the black-red health insurance financial reform, insurers can demand additional contributions from their members from 2015 onwards. The federal government expects a savings program of the statutory funds to avoid high additional contributions.

Inquiry of the Greens in the Bundestag

As it is called in a response of the health department to a request of the Greens in the Bundestag, the cash reform decided a few days ago in the Bundestag will lead to it, „that the health insurances must operate efficiently and provide quality care to keep their members.“ In addition, it says in the answer, which was the news agency dpa in Berlin: „The additional contributions are thereby kept as low as possible.“ In addition, the funds would use their financial reserves more. The federal government will also make sure that spending does not skyrocket. From 2015, the insurances can demand additional income-related contributions from their members.

Health insurance companies could limit benefits

In addition, the government pointed out that the regulators can order cash registers to increase their additional contributions if necessary - in the event that the fund is afraid to scare off any customers. It is not yet possible to predict whether there will be greater switching between insurance funds or mergers. Social organizations and health sector officials have warned that health insurance companies may be limiting benefits due to rising savings.

Green expects additional contributions of more than two percent

The federal government consider a percentage limit for low-wage earners unnecessary, criticized the Green Health politician Maria Klein-Schmeink. This is justified by the government with the fact that the additional contributions will be charged in the future as a percentage of income. „The black-red coalition has no social conscience“, so Klein-Schmeink. At least so far applies that for low-income earners at two percent additional contribution is over. But many workers would quickly feel the surcharges. She told the dpa: „By 2017, they will have to pay additional contributions of more than two percent.“

Minister of Health defends the reform

Although the rate of contribution falls in early 2015 for the approximately 50 million members of the statutory health insurance from 15.5 to 14.6 percent. But in return, the funds are given the opportunity to raise the wage-related surcharges. Although the opposition rejected the law, Federal Health Minister Hermann Gröhe (CDU) defended it again last week. „We ensure fair competition between the funds“, said the minister in a statement. And state health secretary Annette Widmann-Mauz (CDU) said: „We assume that up to 20 million insured persons can be relieved financially.“

Health economists expect contribution increases

The experts, however, see something different. Health economist Jürgen Wasem had already estimated the additional contribution for 2017 on average 1.3 to 1.5 percent of income months ago, the Federal Insurance Office on 1.6 to 1.7 percent. In the spring, the Munich health economist Günter Neubauer told Reuters that he assumes that already in the second half of 2015, many funds could increase the rate to over 15.5 percent. In his opinion 2017 will be the average over 16 percent. According to dpa, the strongest cash register Barmer GEK showed on request restrained. „A reliable forecast of the future contribution rate is not possible at the present time“, such a spokeswoman. „Serious statements will only be available in autumn.“ Because then an official circle of judges will present results. (Ad)