Private health insurance offers better benefits – but high contributions become due in old age. Therefore, a change should be carefully considered. “Finanztest” explains who a change of health insurance is for and gives decision support.
Getting a doctor’s appointment faster, better care and innovative medical treatment: the advantages of private health insurance are well known. But there is a risk of high contributions in old age. Is it worth the change? Officials, self-employed and high-earning employees would start looking for the right health insurance by their mid-30s at the latest. But how should one decide? The choice is usually a decision for life, because once you leave the statutory insurance behind you, it is difficult to come back.
Privately insured persons are welcome with doctors. Because with them you can bill the examinations and treatments according to the official fee schedule. On the other hand, they have to treat patients with statutory health insurance economically, always in the interests of the statutory health insurance fund. And so privately insured citizens can benefit from head physician treatments and reimbursement for dentures – the benefits must not be reduced and are more extensive than with statutory insurance.
The monthly costs for private health insurance vary widely. Young, healthy insured persons (self-employed) pay less, between 440 and 660 euros per month. Employees pay between 300 and 750 euros. Officials pay only around 209 euros per month for the test winner “Concordia”.
Privately insured as an employee
However, not everyone can switch to private health insurance. Employees must earn at least 60,750 euros gross per year (5062.50 euros per month). The insurance contributions are shared with the employer, but the portion is covered – the company receives a maximum of 351.66 euros. Children need a private contract, cheap insurance costs between 100 and 200 euros per month. If the insured person’s income falls below the income threshold (or becomes completely unemployed), he will be re-insured by the state. However, this only applies up to the age of 55, after which people remain privately insured – even if they receive Hartz IV.
Finanztest’s advice: Only those employees who have a secure and very well paid job should take out private insurance. From the beginning, money should be saved for the later, higher contributions. And: if you have a family, you have to sign a separate contract for each person. That should also be taken into account financially.
Privately insured as a self-employed person or freelancer
As with statutory health insurance, self-employed people also have to pay the entire insurance premium themselves for private ones. However, a deductible can be worthwhile for you: the monthly contributions are reduced, but the insured person has to pay part of the costs for doctor and medication himself in the event of illness. Self-employed people who are retiring must continue to shoulder the contributions entirely on their own. As with employees, children are not also insured, but require their own contract. A return to the statutory health insurance is only possible if the self-employment has been given up and the insured person works a job that is subject to social security contributions. And: at the limit of 55 years of age, the right of return is over.
The advice of financial test: Anyone who earns high income as a single self-employed person and insures themselves early may even get better conditions than with the statutory health insurance. However, one should take into account the increasing contributions in old age. If the income fluctuates, private health insurance is risky.
Privately insured as a civil servant
Civil servants can take out private insurance regardless of their income. Pre-existing illnesses, which actually make admission almost impossible, are not a problem with some providers. The employer does not pay an “employer subsidy”, but an allowance for health care costs. These amount to around 50 percent of the costs. As a pensioner, this allowance usually increases to 70 percent. Eligible children receive 80 percent allowance, spouses 70 percent – so you only need to take out insurance for the remaining percentages. As a civil servant, the right to return to statutory health insurance is excluded. Anyone who is over 55 years old and no longer works as a civil servant but as an employee is no longer eligible for statutory health insurance.
Finanztest’s advice: Private health insurance is worthwhile for civil servants. With the aid, the financial viability of health insurance in old age is not an issue. Only civil servants in the lower pay grades and families with more than three children should check whether the construct is worthwhile.
In the 11/2019 issue, Finanztest checked the offers from private health insurers and tested 120 tariffs. You can get the result and further information on the subject for a fee at.
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
