The cheapest health insurance companies in 2023 – and how to change

For many people with statutory health insurance, it will be more expensive in 2023. Because two-thirds of health insurance companies increased the additional contribution at the turn of the year – by up to 0.7 percentage points. On the other hand, four health insurers even reduced the contribution against the trend. An overview of all increases and decreases.

But there are still many comparatively cheap health insurance companies: The cheapest health insurance companies still charge less than one percent additional contribution, while the most expensive health insurance companies charge almost two percent (see tables below). The additional contribution comes on top of the general contribution rate of 14.6 percent. Half of the full contribution is paid by the employer and half by the employee; the self-employed have to shoulder the employer’s share themselves.

The cheapest health insurance companies open nationwide

The cheapest regionally open health insurance companies

Source: krankenkassen.de

Health insurance companies do not have to inform you by letter

If the health insurance increases the additional contribution, insured persons have a special right of termination. This applies until the end of the month in which the increase takes effect and includes a period of two months. If you have to pay a higher additional contribution on January 1, 2023, you can cancel until the end of January and insure yourself with the new health insurance company from April (in the meantime you have to pay the higher contribution).

However, the health insurance companies do not currently have to inform their insured persons in writing about increases in contributions due to a current exemption. Instead of sending a letter, it is sufficient to publish the information on the homepage. Many insured persons will probably only find out about their contribution increase with a delay. If you miss the deadline for special termination, you can still change regularly. Irrespective of the special right of termination, insured persons can terminate at any time provided they were with the old fund for at least twelve months. A period of two months to the end of the month also applies to this regular change of insurer.

This is how the cash register change works

Termination and change of health insurance work like this: You choose a new health insurance company and fill out a membership application. This is usually done online via the website. The new desired health insurance company then takes over the cancellation of the old one, you don’t have to cancel it yourself. It is advisable not to wait until the last day of the month to approach the new cash register with a change request, so that the change can be made on time. If you want to change because of a contribution increase, you should write that so that the new health insurance company meets the deadline for the special right of termination.

However, the contribution should not be the only criterion when choosing the insurance company. If you regularly use certain additional services, you are in good hands with a health insurance company that takes care of them. The service or bonus programs also play an important role for many insured persons.