Health Insurance Contributions Rise Amid “Extraordinary Times”: Breaking News
Health insurance contributions are on the rise
Several health insurers have announced that they will increase their contributions in 2025, marking an unprecedented move in the health insurance sector. This is especially notable as contributions are typically adjusted annually, not mid-year. This breaking news has significant implications for insured persons, who are now being urged to compare their options.
Special circumstances push insurers to increase contributions
“Extraordinary times” call for extraordinary measures, according to Florian Lanz, spokesman for the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV top association). Insurers are grappling with higher expenses, covering more costs for clinics, medicines, and doctors than insured contributions can cover. Politicians have recently mandated insurers to nearly exhaust their reserves, forcing them to raise additional contributions.
Your key rights and options as an insured person
Insured persons need not be left in the dark. In most cases, you have the right to terminate your insurance upon an increase in additional contributions. For those in Hesse, for instance, contributions will range between 16% and 19% of the gross salary. Consumer advocate Silke Möhring emphasizes the importance of considering more than just the contributions, looking also at the services offered by the insurance company.
If an additional contribution increase is implemented, insured persons have a special right of termination. This allows you to terminate your contract with the insurance provider by the end of the month in which the increased contribution is due for the first time. After two months, you can switch insurance providers.
List of health insurance companies increasing contributions as of July 2025
- Securvita: Increased from 3.2% to 3.9%
- BKK Technoform: Increased from 2.49% to 3.49%
- BKK BMW: Increased from 2.9% to 3.9%
- BKK PWC: Increased from 2.08% to 2.4%
- Merck BKK: Increased from 3.2% to 3.97%
- Karl Meyer BKK: Increased from 2.9% to 3.39%
Government intervention with interest-free loans
The federal government is considering providing interest-free loans to health insurance funds, totaling around 5.6 billion euros, from June 2025. However, experts believe this measure will not prevent further increases in 2026. Structural reforms and commissions are being proposed to find long-term solutions for the health insurance sector.
Staying informed and making the right choice
In the face of these changes, it’s crucial for insured persons to stay informed and make wise decisions. Compare the services and contributions of different health insurance providers to ensure you are getting the best value. By doing so, you can manage the impact of these rising contributions on your financial health.
