Health insurance companies - KKH increases the supplementary contribution
The KKH German Male Sickness Fund is reportedly raising its additional contribution. Starting from August, customers of the fund are required to pay an additional 3.28 percent on top of the general contribution rate of 14.6 percent – resulting in a total contribution rate of 17.88 percent, according to the "Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung". This is necessary due to "unexpectedly high cost increases". This is also evident in the market – other health insurance companies have also adjusted their contributions. Cost drivers are primarily expenses in the hospital and pharmaceutical segments.
The KKH, with approximately 1.6 million insured persons, is one of the larger health insurance companies in Germany. Some other insurers have also announced that they will raise – depending on the company – the additional contribution still in the summer. On average, it was previously 1.7 percent. The total contribution consists of this, in addition to the general contribution rate of 14.6 percent of the gross wage.
According to the report, health insurance companies recorded a deficit of 776 million Euro in the first three months of the current year. Health care expenditures in statutory health insurance reportedly increased by 7.1 percent per insured person in the first quarter. For the entire year, a increase of 6.5 percent is expected. However, contribution revenues in 2024 are only expected to increase by 5.4 percent.
The KKH had already raised its additional contribution from 1.5 to 1.98 percent at the beginning of the year, as reported by the newspaper. In order to prevent the loss of members, the KKH therefore plans to increase its benefits – with additional subsidies for osteopathy, professional teeth cleaning, health courses, and skin cancer prevention.
The rise in the supplementary contribution by the KKH could impact the health care costs for residents of Lower Saxony, including Hannover. Many other health insurance companies in Germany, including some in Hannover, are also considering increasing their additional contributions. The Higher contribution rate could put a strain on individuals' budgets, who rely on health insurance for their medical needs. The Hannover General Newspaper highlighted that this increase is a response to "unexpectedly high cost increases" in the hospital and pharmaceutical segments.
