The statutory health insurance companies are preparing for a more difficult financial situation. Expenditures for care are currently rising sharply, said the head of the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), Jens Baas - currently at a rate of more than five percent in statutory health insurance (GKV).
The good economic situation with increasing income from social security systems has so far enabled a stable financial situation and the build-up of reserves. "These reserves can still partially cushion rising expenses next year."
Skepticism also for 2021
However, it becomes more explosive when looking towards 2021, Baas said: "If the rising expenditures, driven by a number of legislative measures and a possibly weaker economy, use up these reserves, the cost development will have an impact on the contribution rates."
In the first nine months of the year, the cash registers fell somewhat lower. A deficit of 741 million euros was posted. The reserves amounted to around 20.6 billion euros at the end of September. That is still about four times the legally required minimum reserve, said the Federal Ministry of Health.
For some insured, the premium could rise in the new year. The officially calculated "average additional contribution rate" for 2020 will be raised by 0.2 points to 1.1 percent. However, the health insurers themselves determine the actual amount of their additional contribution; they can deviate from the average value. The entire contribution also includes the general rate of 14.6 percent. From the new year on, cash registers with particularly high reserves will also have to reduce their financial reserves.
Baas said that the additional contribution of the TK for 2020 will "under no circumstances increase" against the background of the prescribed reserve reduction. The DAK also announced that it would keep its contribution stable.
