Reported from the source

Quick summary: Germany’s statutory health insurance funds saw a significant increase in additional contributions at the turn of the year, with the average rising from approximately 2.9% to over 3.1%, exceeding expectations. The GKV-Spitzenverband reported the surge, which prompted calls for political reform to curb rising healthcare costs.

The additional contributions for Germany’s statutory health insurance funds have risen sharply at the turn of the year, according to the GKV-Spitzenverband (National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds). The average additional contribution increased from around 2.9% to more than 3.1%, a rise confirmed by the association to ARD-Hauptstadtstudio and noted as higher than anticipated. Oliver Blatt, Chairman of the Board, described the increase as a “wake-up call for everyone.” He urged politicians to designate 2026 as a “real reform year” to halt the escalating expenditures for hospitals and medications. Information from Stiftung Warentest indicates that approximately half of the health insurance funds have raised their contributions, with increases ranging from 0.2% to 1.1%. Insured individuals could potentially save several hundred euros annually by switching to a different fund. The federal government had previously pledged to keep health insurance contributions stable and introduced a savings package worth around two billion euros. However, health insurance funds and experts criticized this measure as insufficient, warning that rising costs would negate the savings.

Source: www.tagesschau.de