Health spending is increasing and health insurance revenues will not be sufficient in 2024 either. So will it be more expensive for contributors? It could still end easily.
Those with statutory health insurance are expected to see their contributions rise slightly next year – but the financial gap will probably be smaller than initially feared. The responsible group of estimators determined a mathematically necessary increase in the average additional contribution by 0.1 points to 1.7 percent, as the Federal Office for Social Security announced on Thursday in Bonn. Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) told the German Press Agency that this was good news. “Health insurance contributions will hardly increase.” The health insurance companies spoke of “relevant pressure to increase” for 2024.
Based on the estimate, the ministry will now announce the average additional contribution for next year by November 1st. The health insurance companies then determine the exact amount for the 58 million fund members and 16 million co-insured people without contributions; they can deviate from the average. For this year, the formally established reference value is 1.6 percent. The entire contribution also includes the general rate of 14.6 percent of the gross wage, which is shared by the employer and employee.
“A relevant increasing pressure”
The umbrella association of statutory health insurance companies (GKV) explained that the financing gap for 2024 could be kept small. The group of estimators is currently assuming a figure of 3.2 billion euros, which would have to be closed with higher additional contributions. With a view to the increase now determined to an average of 1.7 percent, GKV boss Doris Pfeiffer emphasized at the same time: “This will result in relevant pressure for the health insurance companies to increase in the coming year, as the additional contribution rate actually charged is currently on average 1.51 percent lies.”
In the summer, the coffers had assumed a deficit of 3.5 billion to 7 billion euros for 2024. Mathematically, this could have resulted in an increase in the average additional contribution of 0.2 to 0.4 percentage points. For this year, the Bundestag decided on an extra financial injection due to an otherwise expected deficit of 17 billion euros. The money came, among other things, from cash reserves and an increase in the additional contribution from 0.15 points to 1.51 percent. The federal government increased its regular subsidy of 14.5 billion euros by two billion euros, and the pharmaceutical industry and pharmacies are given higher discounts.
Lauterbach emphasized that the stabilization law had had an effect. The contributions are stable. “The reforms that are now coming will improve quality,” said the SPD politician. GKV boss Pfeiffer warned: “Increasing additional contributions must not be taken for granted.” It is urgent that the legislature sets the course for sustainable financing. At the same time, there is a need for action on the expenditure side to address uneconomic structures. The persistently high increase in spending on hospitals, doctors’ fees and medicines must be a warning signal for everyone.
Source: Stern
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