Deadline PKV change can be worthwhile Strong increases in health insurance contributions

Contributions to private health insurance can rise by more than 50 percent

In the period before the turn of the year, many private insured persons receive mail from their health insurance, in which a premium increase is announced. For some people, the contributions increase by over 50 percent, according to a newspaper report. It may be worthwhile changing the tariff.

Satisfaction with the current health system

In recent years it has been rumored repeatedly that the private health insurance (PKV) could be an obsolete model. Even politicians of the SPD are increasingly committed to the abolition of private health insurance and the introduction of a civil insurance. The private health insurance association, however, believes that citizens are satisfied with the current health care system. Whether this also applies to people who are informed about the juxtaposition of a hefty contribution increase, is likely to be questionable.

Many privately insured are currently receiving mail, which is informed about an increase in contributions. In some cases, a fare change may be worthwhile. (Image: © stockWERK / fotolia.com)

Juicy contribution increases

"The German health service is outstanding there and is socially fair," said the Chairman of the private health insurance association, Uwe Laue, to voices from the SPD, the abolition of private health insurance to make a condition for a grand coalition.

"We are envied in the world for our health care system. The Germans are now as satisfied as they have not been for decades, "says Laue.

However, the approval should be weakened slightly, if before the turn of the year again a letter flutters with a hefty contribution increase in the house.

Premium of over 50 percent

Many private insured persons are currently receiving unsatisfactory mail from their insurance company, in which premium increases are announced.

For individual rates of the Axa and the alliance, the increases are this time particularly high, as an evaluation of the service provider Minerva shows customer rights for the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" (SZ).

The newspaper reports on a retiree who has to pay for her private health insurance at the Axa instead monthly now 229 euros 362 euros per month - a premium of 58 percent.

Statements for contribution jumps do not change

Minerva's Managing Director, Nicola Ferrarese, estimates that, on average, about one third of privately fully insured clients receive higher premiums each year. However, there are not big increases in all fares.

"Some remain cheaper, others are more expensive, without the reasons are sufficiently explained to the customers," said the expert to the SZ.

According to the report, providers repeatedly argue that contribution advances mean that medical advances, rising health care costs, and low interest rates are making it increasingly difficult to invest the billions in old-age provision for the insured.

For example, a letter from the Alliance quotes: "Today, medicine offers healing and treatment opportunities that just seemed like a dream of the future a few years ago. This way, many chronically ill people can live better with advanced medicines. "

In addition, today "many diseases would be recognized earlier", which leads to "higher spending".

Already a year ago there was an increase of ten percent

Already at the turn of the year 2016/2017, premiums had risen by an average of ten percent.

Although the private health insurance association does not yet have any representative figures for 2018, according to an analysis by the PKV's Scientific Institute, the contributions from fully insured persons increased by an average of 3.05 percent between 2008 and the projected 2018.

According to the SZ report, they even increased in statutory health insurance by 3.28 percent.

Tariff change can be worthwhile

If privately insured contributions have become too high, they do not simply have to put up with it. Waiting for the citizens insurance makes probably little sense. Few currently believe that this will one day come.

Consumer advocates are advised to check their own tariff and see if the same insurer does not offer a tariff with lower contributions and even better or equal benefits.

"It is quite possible to save several hundred euros a month," said Ferrarese, according to SZ. The Munich-based company Minerva Kunderechte helps insured persons to switch to cheaper fares. On their website it says: "Often more than 3,000 euro savings per year and person possible." (Ad)