Contributions too high? This is how insured people reduce costs

health insurance

Contributions too high? How to reduce costs

Anyone who finds themselves in financial distress does not necessarily have to fear for their health insurance. There are ways to reduce contributions and premiums – but not for everyone.

Whether after an increase in premiums or due to a financial emergency: If the contributions from your statutory or private health insurance company become overwhelming at some point, there is no need to despair. In some cases there are ways to reduce the burden.

Particularly for those with voluntary statutory health insurance, such as the self-employed and freelancers, the earned income used to calculate health insurance contributions can vary greatly. In times of poor orders, they can be burdened disproportionately.

If their forecast income for the current year is likely to be more than 25 percent lower than the previous year, those affected can apply to their insurer for a premium reduction. According to the NRW consumer advice center, an advance payment notice for income tax is sufficient as proof. There is no option for dependent employees to reduce contributions to their statutory health insurance (GKV).

With private health insurance (PKV), insured people have the option, for example, of switching to the standard or basic tariff. This means that the premiums and also the benefits are reduced. According to the PKV Association, the standard tariff roughly corresponds to the benefits of statutory health insurance. Its contribution is capped at the maximum GKV contribution. However, the standard tariff is only available to insured people who switched to private health insurance before January 1, 2009.

Insured people who are in need within the meaning of social law or who have switched from GKV to PKV after January 1, 2009 can switch to the PKV basic tariff. Here too, the benefits are comparable to those of the GKV, but the contribution rate may not exceed half of the GKV maximum contribution.

In addition, privately insured people who do not pay their premiums for months can switch to the emergency tariff under certain circumstances. According to the Association of Insured Persons, this only reimburses the treatment costs for acute illnesses and pain, pregnancy and maternity.