Top-tier Statutory Health Insurance Providers Identified
For folks credited with health insurance, brand loyalty to that insurance company is commonly strong. Nevertheless, a shift might be warranted, and assessing alternatives could prove beneficial. A study by the German Institute for Service Quality, commissioned by ntv, reveals substantial distinctions in services, terms, and costs.
In terms of services, terms, and performance, the statutory health insurance funds, as a whole, scored well in the study by the German Institute for Service Quality. Four out of 21 insurers excelled with a "very good" rating, while the remaining 17 received a "good" quality assessment. Many providers truly shine in terms of their offerings, especially in health promotion and preventive care areas.
Overall, health insurance funds deliver satisfactory service through phone, email, and the internet. Recommending their online presence as a primary point of contact for interested parties and members is encouraged. This often offers high informational value and handy tools like a contribution calculator or a doctor search.
At the hotline and in response to email inquiries, advice is, mostly, decent, yet waiting times for a call to be accepted (on average almost two minutes) and email responses (around 40 hours) are downsides. The service quality of individual health insurance funds varies between "good" and satisfactory in the test.
Higher expenses for employers and employees
Terms have worsened since the last study in 2022 due to increased additional contributions. All 21 tested health insurance providers collect an additional contribution in addition to the uniform contribution rate of 14.6%. The lowest additional contribution is requested by the open hkk health insurance fund (0.98%), while the highest additional contribution for a nationwide provider (Knappschaft) is 2.20%.
The most disagreeable frontrunner in this regard is a regional provider: The AOK Nordost demands 2.70% "on top". Markus Hamer, Managing Director of the German Institute for Service Quality, advises: "The balance between the ratio of services and conditions in a health insurance fund should be maintained. Those who are displeased can switch to a new provider with a two-month notice period."
Health Insurance Ranking
The Viactiv Health Insurance Company comes out on top with a "very good" rating as the test winner. The provider offers a wide array of benefits, such as appealing supplementary benefits in the areas of osteopathy for adults and children, as well as dental preventive care. An additional advantage is the helpful online service: The website provides abundant information and tools like tips for writing a sick note by phone or a scheduling service. Email inquiries are answered accurately, completely, and individually.
The AOK Rhineland-Palatinate/Saarland places second with a "very good" rating. The regional provider distinguishes itself in benefits, particularly in health promotion, like high subsidies for health trips and preventive courses. In terms of service, the health insurance company is particularly excellent in telephone consultation: The employees provide individual and very friendly advice. The website also offers a plethora of thematic contents.
Three days are booked with the Techniker Health Insurance, with a "very good" overall result. The positive performance is attributed to appealing conditions: The additional contribution is relatively low at 1.2 percent - there are options with self-retention and contribution refund. The strength in service lies mainly in the hotline: The consultants engage actively and always answer questions accurately from a professional perspective.
The service champ among statutory health insurances is again the SBK Siemens Works Council Health Insurance. In terms of conditions, the Audi BKK holds the leading position.
