Six German health insurance funds raise fees again
The Federal Office for Social Insurance in Germany confirmed that six health insurance funds will increase the additional contribution rates paid by the insured starting from July 1, 2025. The increases include: BKK PwC: from 2.08% to 2.40% BKK Technoform: from 2.49% to 3.49% BMW BKK: from 2.90% to 3.90% EY BKK: from 1.04% to 2.29% IKK – Die Innovationskasse: from 3.60% to 4.30% SECURVITA BKK: from 3.20% to 3.90%
This development comes at a time when German health insurance funds are suffering from a severe financial crisis. Federal Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) confirmed in March that the financial situation of these funds is worse than expected, while the government refuses to provide additional financial support in this year's budget. In an interview with the German news agency, Doris Pfeiffer, chairwoman of the GKV-Spitzenverband, pointed out that several funds have already applied for fee increases, indicating rising pressures. She added that the system needs "urgent treatment," otherwise fee increases will continue significantly by the end of the year.
Despite the increase in revenues due to the improvement in the labor market and rising wages, health expenses are increasing at a much faster rate. While basic wages rose by 4.22% last year, expenses jumped by 7.7%, putting the funds in a difficult position. The recent increase in contributions may help avoid a new financial deficit this year, but it is considered merely a "temporary fix," as Pfeiffer said: "This is not because the funds are in good shape, but because the situation is getting worse."
The latest report "GKV-Check-up 2025" prepared by McKinsey warned that about 60 health insurance funds are at risk of bankruptcy in the near future, especially the smaller funds, due to the continued rise in expenses. Experts believe that digital transformation within these funds has become a necessity to face economic challenges and achieve a competitive advantage in the sector. The VdK social association also expressed its concern about these developments. The association's president, Verena Bentele, described the situation as "worrying," calling for decisive measures to stop the unjustified rise in expenses and to prevent increases in doctors' salaries and the exorbitant prices of medicines, which add to the burden on citizens.
Bentley also supported Bifver's call for a "freeze on expenditures" in the health insurance sector, but emphasized that this should not in any way affect the quality of healthcare provided to citizens. In light of these crises, the urgent need for a radical reform of the German health insurance system is clearly evident, to avoid further burdens on the insured and to ensure the sustainability of the system in the long term.