Overview

• More than fourteen statutory insurers have raised their supplemental contribution rates since April, including six further hikes that took effect on July 1.
• Government-approved loans of €2.3 billion annually for 2025 and 2026 in health insurance plus €500 million in 2025 and €1.5 billion in 2026 for nursing insurance only provide a short-term buffer.
• Jens Baas of Techniker Krankenkasse warns that current funding measures will not stabilize contributions and forecasts further surcharges in both health and nursing schemes next year.
• Members gain a special termination right to switch carriers immediately after any supplemental rate increase without meeting the usual binding period.
• A McKinsey analysis finds up to 60 health funds at risk of insolvency without systemic reforms such as spending moratoriums and enhanced digitalisation.