Health insurance: Health insurance companies expect a deficit of up to 7 billion euros in 2024

After a secure financial situation in 2023, the statutory health insurance companies (GKV) expect a deficit again in the coming year. It is to be expected that there will probably be a gap between 3.5 billion euros and 7 billion euros, said the head of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds, Doris Pfeiffer, in Kremmen, Brandenburg. Arithmetically, without countermeasures, this would result in an increase in the average additional contribution of 0.2 to 0.4 percentage points. Pfeiffer called on the federal government to achieve sustainable stabilization. “The spiral of contribution increases must be broken.”

For this year, the federal government had decided on an additional cash injection for the coffers because of an otherwise expected deficit of 17 billion euros. Pfeiffer explained that ten billion euros of this was raised from contributions – from reserves in the cash register and an increase in the average additional contribution from 0.15 points to 1.51 percent. In addition, the federal government increased its subsidy by two billion euros. The pharmaceutical industry and pharmacies are also used with higher discounts. Pfeiffer made it clear that a “balanced result” can therefore be expected in 2023.

The stable employment and higher wage agreements in view of the high inflation have a positive impact on income, said the GKV boss. At the same time, it is to be expected that wage increases will also lead to cost increases in negotiations with service providers. For the time being, however, there is “no solid feeling” about how the 2023 expenses will develop. Overall, slightly more favorable financial developments this year could help provide support for 2024.