Thousands change to private health insurance

Change in the PKV from 2011 facilitates

Thousands change to private health insurance

The Federal Ministry of Health suspects that in the coming year 2011, up to 60,000 currently insured persons will switch to private health insurance. This is made possible by the easier changing conditions in the course of the planned health care reform.

The black-yellow coalition expects that around 60,000 people will switch to private health insurance next year. The Association of Private Health Insurance was less optimistic and spoke of about 19,000 change in Germany. Nevertheless, the insurance industry can expect at least slight gains in new members, because for many people appears - by lower contributions and supposedly more health services - the way to the private health insurance to be practicable and effective.

Change is made easier
From January 1, 2011, the conditions for a change from statutory health insurance (GKV) to private health insurance (PKV) will be greatly facilitated. Specifically, the so-called three-year period was reduced to a one-year period. This means that employees have to earn beyond the compulsory insurance limit in just one year in order to subsequently be able to switch to private health insurance. But the euphoria can fade quickly despite lower contributions. We point out what consumers should be aware of when considering switching to private health insurance. For once the PKV change is completed, the way back to the womb of the statutory health insurance is blocked to 99 percent.

What is the insurance limit??
Instead of the three-year limit, from January 1, 2011, there will only be a one-year limit. This means that potential PKV insured must earn at least 49,500 euros gross once during the full year in order to make a change. If this limit is exceeded, consumers should first get comprehensive information. Because the jungle of different private car rates is immense. The first rule should therefore be to pay close attention to one's own personal situation, in order to then be able to compare PKV fares independently. Corresponding comparison offers can be carried out on different finance portals. If you have selected a tariff, it now goes with the contract and performance conditions to go to the nearest consumer center to there to check the contractual conditions. Because careful, once a tariff is completed, the later monthly costs for health insurance can increase very quickly.

Be sure to pay attention to your own family life situation
If you are free, young and have no children, the tariffs seem very cheap and tempting. But your own life situation can change very quickly. It should be noted, for example, that private providers do not know family insurance. This means that every single child has to be specially insured. Even health services such as mother-child cures are unknown in private health insurance and are not offered. However, some private health insurance providers do not exclude that there will be such family combi offers in the future. But it is doubtful whether then actually the insurance contribution of the statutory family reinsurance can be undershot. A family insurance is also not for the unemployed partner. Again, an extra health check and a separate contract must be completed.

Change is worthwhile for civil servants by grant of the employer
On the other hand, a change could be worthwhile for civil servants, as they are entitled to a subsidy. This means, for example, that teachers receive a percentage of the medical expenses, depending on the state and province. PKV offers special tariffs for civil servants. Eligible as a subsidy are civil servants, judges and pensioners, professional soldiers, temporary soldiers and retired soldiers. The exact subsidy should ask any person affected by his employer.

Wechselansturm could jeopardize the statutory health insurance
Many good-earners in the private health insurance lose the cash register thereby also good contribution payer. It can be assumed that especially those who are still young and unbound will change. However, these are just one of the pillars of the solidarity-based health system. Although it is assumed in the GKV that the contribution increase from 14.9 to 15.5 as of 2011, the budget deficit of as much as 11 billion euros again relativize, but there is a veritable rush of change, the changes in legislation could be the cash in dire financial Bring difficulties. The Federal Ministry of Health puts the annual loss share of the SHI with 200 million euros per year. (sb, 11.11.2010)

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