Change to PKV often not advisable

Stiftung Warentest: Change to private health insurance often not advisable

21/02/2011

Since the beginning of the year, employees with above-average earnings have been able to switch to private health insurance. The entry-level rates are usually cheaper compared to the statutory health insurance. The Stiftung Warentest has evaluated the private rates more precisely. It showed that, especially in old age, the contributions increase many times over.

Since the beginning of the year, the access conditions for private health insurance (PKV) employees have been significantly reduced as part of health care reform. Insured persons can now even more easily switch from statutory health insurance to private health insurance. For this, the gross income must be at least 49,950 euros gross per year. Instead of the three-year rule, only one year's earnings are valid. This means that employees must have the stated earnings for at least one year. For civil servants, freelancers and the self-employed, the path to private health insurance is open anyway. The income does not matter.

For civil servants worth a private health insurance
After evaluations of the magazine „Finanztest“ is a private health insurance for officials recommended. Officials receive state aid as servants of the State. For the rest of the protection, civil servants must take out private insurance. In most cases, the private health insurance offers are favorable in contrast to the statutory health insurance for civil servants. For workers and the self-employed, the private health insurance could quickly become a financial risk because they receive no taxpayer subsidy. Especially for self-employed, the monthly income fluctuates strongly.

Beware of low rates
Consumer advocates point out that cheap tariffs should be less than 100 euros per month. This kind of lock offers hardly any benefits, for insureds have to pay large sums for medical treatment and therapies. If an insured becomes seriously or chronically ill, high financial resources must be expended and that will be very fast, very expensive for the person concerned. In some cases, early retirees have to spend more than half of the income for health insurance. Experts warn that even well-valued fares at the age of entry from the mid-30s to triple at least pension.

Anyone who nevertheless thinks about switching to private health insurance should keep in mind that sufficient health protection at the beginning of the contract should cost several hundred euros. For women in general, the contributions are higher because they have an average longer life expectancy and consult a doctor more often.

In the statutory health insurance pay policyholders with a gross monthly income from 3712 euros, the maximum contribution of 575 euros. If the health insurance company raises an additional contribution, further costs may be added. Health experts assume that as early as 2012/2013, cash-and-carry patients will have to pay additional contributions nationwide. At present, only a minority of the funds charge an additional contribution.

For private health insurance, the service offered by contract is guaranteed for life. In addition, health benefits are granted that the health insurance companies do not know. These include the well-known head physician treatments, the hospital single occupancy, but also treatment methods of naturopathy. In most cases private patients pay higher fees for doctors, hospitals, alternative practitioners and pharmaceuticals. How high the deductible is, determines the tariff choice.

On the whole, the costs for a PKV are also higher. Although the contributions for well-paid employees at a young age are even cheaper than the GKV. In old age, however, the contributions rise sharply. The income of the private insured does not matter. By contrast, the legal provisions are based on the contributions to the monthly income. A rude awakening could especially threaten pensioners. At retirement age, incomes are reduced many times over, while private health insurance contributions increase sharply. The statutory health insurance also takes into account a change in one's own life situation. If the spouse does not have his own income, he can be insured with the family insurance. Children are also insured from birth. In private health insurance, on the other hand, additional health insurance coverage is required.

Contributions increase due to demographic change
Medical research continues to evolve from year to year. Many new treatments are being developed, some of which are very expensive. On the other hand, the life expectancy of the average citizen increases. This inevitably increases the insurance period of health insurance. For this reason, the economists of private health insurance recalculate the contributions from year to year. For years experts have observed a continuous increase in tariffs. Experts believe that even good tariffs will rise many times over the next few years. In the next 30 years, tariff contribution could have tripled.

This fact also causes the statutory coffers to create. However, on the one hand the health insurance is financed on an equal basis and on the other hand the state financially supports the statutory funds within the framework of the health fund. Cash patients also have to adjust to rising contributions. Here, however, the contributions are always based on the income of the policyholder, so that the financial risk remains reasonably manageable. If the private health insurance increases the contribution, only a tariff change is possible. As a rule, the benefits and tariffs differ only insignificantly in comparison. The only way out is to change to a cheaper rate. The return to the community of statutory health insurance is almost impossible.

If you still want to change, you should be aware that this could have far-reaching consequences. About the further life planning change willing should be exactly clear. The independent Stiftung Warentest will, upon request, provide adequate tariffs according to the requirements of the interested party. In return, a processing fee of 18 euros must be paid. (Sb)