Health insurance contributions are expected to rise in 2025. Then the bottom line is that there is less left over. Changing your health insurance provider could save money.
Munich – Many important examinations and other medical measures are partly or entirely covered by the health insurance company. To do this, the insured pay into the fund every month, with half of the contributions to be paid being borne by the employee. In addition, the health insurance companies may charge an additional contribution. This is expected to increase significantly next year, according to health insurance companies. That's why a change may make sense. However, you should think about this carefully and not just pay attention to the savings potential.
Hospital reform could lead to significant increases in health insurance contributions
The additional contribution is levied to cover the financial needs of the health insurance companies, which go beyond the allocations from the health fund, informs the Federal Ministry of Health. It is calculated on the basis of an additional contribution rate set individually by each health insurance company, which is why it varies between different insurance companies. According to a forecast by the umbrella organization of company health insurance companies (BKK), health insurance contributions could rise significantly in 2025. It is expected that the additional contribution will be increased by 0.75 percent.
BKK boss Anne-Kathrin Klemm warned in an interview with the
Handelsblatt
: “Without counter-taxes, there is a risk of massive premium increases in 2024 and 2025.” The reason given is the planned hospital reform, which is to be co-financed by the statutory health insurance companies. The average additional contribution is currently 1.7 percent, but could rise to over 2.45 percent. This is likely to cause dissatisfaction among many insured people, as some health insurance companies only increased the additional contribution at the beginning of 2024.
Higher health insurance contributions reduce the net income of those insured
With the expected increase in health insurance contributions in 2025, the net income would automatically be reduced. With a total contribution of 14.6 percent plus an additional contribution of 2.45 percent, employees would already have to bear a contribution burden of 17.05 percent. Half of this is deducted from gross income. With a gross monthly income of 2,000 euros, 170.50 euros would already be due per month. With an income of 4,000 euros, 341 euros would have to be paid to the health insurance company.
An increase in additional contributions from health insurance companies would have these effects on average:
Gross income |
Posts 2024 |
Posts 2025 |
|---|---|---|
1000 Euro |
81.50 euros |
85.25 euros |
2000 Euro |
163 euros |
170.50 euros |
3000 euros |
244.50 euros |
255.75 euros |
4000 euros |
326 euros |
341 euros |
5000 Euro |
407.50 euros |
426.25 euros |
Increasing health insurance contributions announced – changing health insurance could be worth it
It is not yet clear whether the additional contributions will actually be increased in 2025. The decision on this will not be made by the health insurance companies until the end of the year. If this happens, changing health insurance could be worthwhile for many people. Compulsorily insured and voluntary members of statutory health insurance generally have the freedom to choose their health insurance provider. This can lead to significant savings, but you should also take a look at the advantages of each individual health insurance fund.
The different health insurance funds offer different advantages that are tailored to the individual needs of the insured. Since January 1, 2021, insured people who want to change their statutory health insurance company no longer have to cancel themselves. After selecting the new health insurance company, the insured simply have to register there and the cancellation will be taken over by the new insurance company. Depending on the contribution rate, switching health insurance companies can save several hundred euros every year.
If you want to save additional money, you should find out about your health insurance company's bonus program - you can use this to get up to 500 euros from your health insurance company.
(rd/sp)