Change health insurance: Should I just go to the cheapest?

Has your health insurance also become 2025 more expensive? Most likely. Because as early as January 1, all health insurance companies increased their additional contribution. Eight further increases followed by May and, according to the SHI leader, six health insurance companies have announced an increase for the GKV Spitzenverband in early July. The bottom line is that almost all of the health insurance patients – but by no means the same as our large overview of the additional contributions of the health insurance companies showed at the beginning of the year.

Many insured persons therefore think about a change to a cheaper cash register. This can potentially save hundreds of euros a year and is very easy. You fill out an application to the new cash register and this informs the old one about the termination and initiates the change.

If the health insurance company increases the additional contribution, a special right of termination applies until the end of the month in which the higher contribution is due for the first time. There is also the regular termination option for everyone who was insured with their old cash register at least twelve months. In both cases, a period of two full months applies: for example, if you apply for the change in July (not on the last handle because the processing can take a few days), you are insured with the new cash register on October 1st.

But what cash should you switch to now? Simply take the cheapest because the statutory health insurance benefits are the same anyway? Or do you prefer to pay attention to additional services, bonus programs and other extras? A little decision -making aid.

First of all, you should make it clear how much you save when changing the cash register. The general contribution rate of 14.6 percent of gross wages is the same for all health insurers, only the additional contribution varies. The BKK Firmus, which is currently open to the nationwide, is the BKK Firmus with a 2.18 percent additional contribution, the most expensive is the shortness of 4.4 percent. In the case of employees, the employer pays half of the total contribution.

How much the individual can actually save in euros depends on the earnings and how big the difference in contributions between old and new cash is. Here are a few calculation examples:

The examples show that the change from an expensive to a cheap cash register can save much contributions. However, it is worth not looking at the contribution alone. Because even extra services that vary from cash from cash register can be worth money.

The basic medical services are laid down by the legislator and the same for all health insurers. Depending on the personal life situation and health, certain additional services are also interesting that only some health insurers offer. Among them are services that are not so special, but concern a lot of people.

For example, many insured persons go to professional tooth cleaning at least once a year, which costs 70 to 150 euros per appointment. Some coffers give a generous grant here, others pay little or nothing at all. Some only pay if the treatment is carried out by certain dentists with which the cash register has concluded a contract.

Another point, which can easily weigh up somewhat higher contribution payments, affects osteopathic treatments. There are coffers that add up to 500 euros a year, others do not give anything. In contrast to physiotherapy, which can be prescribed for prescription, osteopathy is generally not included in the statutory service package.

There are other important differences in preventive examinations that go beyond the statutory minimum-for example more frequent skin cancer screenings-or when assuming costs for certain travel vaccinations. Some health insurers offer more services for children or pregnant women, others for seniors or chronically ill.

The health insurers also differ in the bonus programs. The health insurers usually reward health -conscious behavior such as perceiving preventive examinations or membership in the sports club. Depending on the bonus model, you will receive a small money bonus for a certain number of measures or a grant for an extra power such as professional tooth cleaning.

In addition to money, the right health insurance can also save nerves. Then if you are helped quickly and competently if you have any questions. The needs can be different here. For some, the good telephone accessibility around the clock counts, the other wants to be able to do all things easily via the app. And especially for older insured persons, it can be important that if in doubt, they can go to an on -site office. In addition to information and advice, many health insurance companies also offer help in the mediation of specialist dates. So it can be worthwhile to pay attention to the service offered and the contact options when comparing the health insurance.

Switching the health insurance is not difficult. First look at how expensive your current cash register is compared to others. Then compare the additional services with a view to the extras that are important to you. This is possible, for example, with the independent (paid) comparison of the Stiftung Warentest or via comparison portals such as Verivox and Check24. Based on a price-performance comparison, the FinanzTip consumer portal currently recommends five health insurers: HKK, technician, Audi BKK, BKK Firmus and for young families and pregnant women.

Note: The article dates from 21,2025 and has been revised and updated