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Health Insurers Warn 2026 Rate Hikes Despite €2 Billion Plan as Bundestag Readies Vote

Insurers cite depleted reserves excluded from the 2.9% benchmark as the driver of likely increases above 3%.

Overview

  • The cabinet’s savings package aims to hold the average supplemental contribution at 2.9%, with final approval expected in the Bundestag this week.
  • The GKV-Spitzenverband expects the average supplemental rate charged in early 2026 to top 3% and flags an additional need of at least 0.1 percentage points to rebuild reserves.
  • A statutory estimator group set the 2.9% reference value without accounting for funds that must restore legally required reserves.
  • Employers and AOK warn hospital savings may total about €1.3 billion instead of the planned €1.8 billion, reducing the package’s stabilizing effect.
  • Hospital associations and ver.di condemn the cuts as risking care, while individual funds will set 2026 rates in the coming weeks and members gain a special right to switch if rates rise.