Massive price increases in statutory health insurance and private health insurance

The private health insurance sector is also continuing its cost policy of recent years and is expected to increase contributions by an average of 6.5 percent in 2025.

These developments have far-reaching consequences. In addition to the increase in monthly premiums, some tariffs are expected to have an increasing deductible. The large insurers such as ARAG and DKV in particular have already announced that premium increases are to be expected – depending on the tariff, by as much as 23 percent. Many insured people therefore see a tariff change as the only way out. But there are a few aspects that need to be taken into account – you can find out what these are in the following article.

Reasons for the premium increases in private health insurance

Every year on January 1st, most private health insurance providers increase their premiums. The reason for this is continuously rising service expenses. Compared to 2018, insurers have on average almost 25 percent higher costs, which they can only cover by increasing premiums.

However, not all tariffs are equally affected. At present, it is mainly the Bisex tariffs that were concluded before 2013 that are expected to see massive price increases. The reason for this is an increasing reduction in the size of this insurance group, for example due to terminations or deaths. The resulting costs must then be borne by fewer and fewer insured people, which increases the burden on the individual. Hallesche and ARAG are increasing some of their newer tariffs by up to 7.5 and 10 percent respectively. Hallesche had already made an average increase of 9 percent last year.

These private health insurers are expected to increase their rates in 2025

The following list provides an overview of planned contribution increases in 2025:

Old Oldenburgers

• All outpatient tariffs (full and assisted)

ARAG

• Contribution increase depending on the package: for children 8-15 percent, for young people 15-23 percent, for adults 3-11 percent

AXA

• Closed tariffs: ECO, ECORA, EL, Vision, Vital tariff series




• Outpatient tariff: 140 tariff series, AM tariff series




• Inpatient tariffs: 340, K, 500, Vital-Z, Z tariff series




• Open tariffs (unisex): Vital 300-U, Vital 900-U, EL Bonus-U, ActiveMe-U, KGSU-U, Kompakt Zahn-U, Komfort Zahn-U, Premium Zahn-U

Generali

Here, the open and closed unisex tariffs will not be spared in 2025:

• BS, Comfort, CV, EKE, EKN, EKS, KE, KN, KS, Vario tariff series

Hallesche

• XL and L tariff




• The S tariff is still under review




• The amount of the BAP amounts to approximately 7.5 percent and is expected to increase to approximately 9 percent by January 1, 2024.

Hanse Merkur

Hanse Merkur health insurance has announced premium increases in some of its tariffs for 2025. Possible premium increases by Hanse Merkur:

• PKV tariff KVT500: The KVT500 tariff could increase by up to 7 percent




• Tariff KVS3: The tariff KVS3 could even be increased by up to 12 percent

SDK

Contribution increases in almost all bisexual tariffs

• AM10 and AM11




• Closed Bisex tariffs: A tariff line, S tariff line, Z tariff line




• Closed unisex tariffs: A, S, Z tariff lines




• Open unisex tariffs: AM10, AM11, NHu, S1, s1DD, Z8, Z9 (for children up to + 27 percent)

signal

Contribution increases in the following tariff series:

• Exclusive-Plus 0 / Exclusive-Plus 1 (children)




• Exclusive 0 / Exclusive 1 (children)




• Comfort Plus 1 / Comfort Plus 2 (adults)




• Comfort 2 / Comfort 3




• Start Plus




• Esprit X / Esprit M / Esprit MX

Universa & Concordia

• Contribution guarantee for most new tariffs

These options are available to those affected

Many insured people are very concerned about these increases. They are rightly asking themselves whether they should stay with their insurance company or switch. Before making a final switch, however, the internal tariff change should first be checked. As soon as the insurer announces a premium increase, those affected can make use of a legally prescribed right to switch to another tariff from this provider. This option can be worthwhile, as most insurers regularly set up new tariffs to replace older, more expensive tariffs.

To do this, insurers should first request a detailed comparison of the benefits of all possible tariffs from their private health insurance provider. The pension provisions already saved remain unaffected by a possible change. If an interesting tariff has been found after the intensive comparison, its quality will determine the next step: if the benefits are comparable to the current tariff, a change is possible without any problems. If the tariff is of a higher value, a new health check may be necessary. If the result is negative, however, only the additional benefits are affected. This means that the insured person cannot be worse off by an internal change.

In any case, it is important to carefully analyze the small print of the desired tariff. Cost traps are often hidden in the details, for example in the case of medical devices and aids or dental prostheses. Anything that is expected to come about through an internal tariff change should be put aside immediately. This will help you to better cushion future premium increases, which are guaranteed to come.

Option 2: Switch insurance to another provider

If an internal tariff change is not an option, switching to another insurance provider is also possible. After a premium increase, the insured have a special right of termination. However, this is usually only worthwhile if the man has not been insured with the private health insurance company for too long, for example ten to twelve years, if the man is under 45 years old and has no significant pre-existing medical conditions.

When selecting interesting tariffs and insurers, it is usually helpful to work with an independent consultant. Above all, this consultant should be able to explain the connections between the state of health and the development of premiums in an unbiased manner. In addition, caution is often advised, particularly with tariffs with particularly low entry-level premiums. Their premium stability is often only guaranteed for a few years, after which there is a risk of massive price increases.

If a change does occur, the insured must provide complete and truthful information about their state of health. Anyone who conceals illnesses can expect serious consequences later.

About Dieter Homburg:

Dieter Homburg is the owner of the Finance Specialist Center and the bestselling author of the book “Retirement Planning for Dummies”. He writes for Focus and has appeared on RTL several times. The independent financial advisor Finanztip recommends him, especially when choosing the right health insurance. He has been comparing the premium rates of private health insurance companies for over 25 years and has already helped over 5,000 entrepreneurs, freelancers and senior managers to save over 100,000 euros on their own retirement planning and health insurance.

Source: Fachzentrum Finanzen AG & Co.KG (ots)