Health insurance does not have to be expensive, as a comparison by Stiftung Warentest shows. But if you value additional services such as teeth cleaning and fertility treatment, you should take a close look at the small print.
Times were rosier before. Whether food or energy costs – prices are rising almost everywhere and the wallet is empty faster. It is all the more important to take a close look at which costs are regularly incurred and which can be turned around. One of these items are the health insurance contributions. If you choose the right cash register, you can save a lot of money. In a recent comparison, “Finanztest” has unraveled which registers are worthwhile.
The good news: Of the more than 70 statutory health insurance companies in the check, only two changed their prices in July and became more expensive. “Finanztest” suspects that other providers will follow at the turn of the year. BKK Euregio and Debeka BKK have increased. Although the BKK Euregio now charges 15.44 percent instead of 14.95 percent, the cash register is still one of the five cheapest. Among the nationwide health insurance companies, the hkk is still ahead with 15.29 percent.
|
Cash |
Contribution (%) |
|
BKK Pfaff* |
15.00 |
|
BKK Faber-Castell* |
15.25 |
|
hkk |
15:29 |
|
AOK Saxony-Anhalt* |
15.40 |
|
BKK EU region* |
15.44 |
* regionally restricted; Source: financial test
Save hundreds of euros by switching health insurance companies
Even if the differences seem small at first glance, a change can save around 160 euros a year. The calculation example from “Finanztest” assumes a gross income of 3000 euros per month and a change from an expensive contribution rate of 16.20 percent to a cheap one of 15.29 percent. In the case of voluntarily insured self-employed people, the savings are as much as 320 euros. And for high earners, i.e. those who earn more than 4837.50 euros gross per month, the savings are also almost 300 euros.
However, it is not the contribution rate alone that should be important when choosing a health insurance company. Because the additional services offered by the health insurers can also pay off. This begins with the assumption of the costs of the popular tooth cleaning. While one health fund subsidizes two dental cleanings a year and subsidizes them with up to 500 euros each, the cheapest health insurance company, the BKK Pfaff, only subsidizes up to 50 euros once a year and the hkk does not subsidize dental cleanings at all.
Participation in the very cost-intensive fertility treatments is also an important criterion for many customers. If certain requirements are met, the health insurance companies have to cover half of the costs. Additional subsidies for artificial insemination are possible, but 11 out of 71 insurers in the test pay nothing at all, 19 only to a limited extent.
For a fee, you can get an overview of health insurance contributions, the most important benefits and services as well as all information about changing health insurers read.
Source: Stern
