Statutory health insurance members in Germany can save several hundred euros a year and gain access to more additional benefits at the same time, simply by choosing the right insurer. Contribution rates among statutory health funds currently range from 16.78 to 18.99 percent, according to a study published on Tuesday by Stiftung Warentest, which compared 67 statutory health insurers.
Despite the ongoing healthcare reform, the funds have so far not reduced their supplementary offerings, such as subsidies for professional teeth cleaning or travel vaccinations.
For a monthly income of €3,000, the difference between the cheapest and most expensive fund nationwide amounts to around €340 per year, as calculated by Stiftung Warentest. For higher earners, the gap can reach up to €660. Switching does not necessarily mean forgoing additional services: some of the cheaper funds offer "an equally broad or even broader range of supplementary benefits than more expensive competitors," according to the test.
The ongoing healthcare reform is expected to lead to higher co-payments and restrictions in other areas, but the voluntary extras offered by health funds have not been affected so far, Stiftung Warentest explained. Funds have not reduced their supplementary benefits; they have either kept them the same or expanded them.
The study also evaluates six popular supplementary benefits: subsidies for professional teeth cleaning, osteopathy, health courses, sports medicine check-ups, alternative medicines, and travel vaccinations. The scale runs from "very high benefits" to "very low or no benefits."
Switching health insurers is straightforward, Stiftung Warentest emphasised. Anyone who has been a member for at least twelve months can cancel at any time. When contribution rates are increased, cancellation is possible immediately, with a two-month notice period to the end of the month. The new insurer handles the cancellation with the old one.
Only those receiving ongoing services, such as psychotherapy or nursing care, should obtain written confirmation from their new insurer in advance. For certain therapies, it may make sense to remain with the current insurer for the time being, the testers noted. Contribution rates and benefit details are available online at www.test.de/krankenkassen.
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