The statutory health insurance (GKV) system is warning of a potential rise in the average supplementary contribution to as high as three percent within the next six months. This increase is expected regardless of planned loans from the federal budget, according to Oliver Blatt, the newly appointed Chairman of the GKV-Spitzenverband, in an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.
Blatt attributed the looming financial strain to the rapid increase in expenses. He stated that if this trend continues, the supplementary contribution could reach three percent by the turn of the year, despite the announced government loan. The supplementary contribution is added to the standard 14.6 percent rate already deducted from income subject to social security contributions, resulting in an overall burden of nearly 18 percent for both employers and employees. Currently, the average supplementary contribution is set at 2.5 percent, though many individual health funds already levy higher charges.
Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) included a multi-billion euro credit line in the 2025 budget draft to support health and care insurance funds and prevent further contribution increases. However, Blatt dismissed the loan as inadequate, referring to it as “political window dressing.
He highlighted that despite the largest ever increase in supplementary contributions at the beginning of the year, eight health funds have already been forced to raise rates further, with six more having applied for increases.
Blatt rejected proposals from leading SPD politicians, such as the party’s new General Secretary Tim Klüssendorf, to raise the basis for GKV contribution assessments. He argued that such a move would effectively constitute a contribution increase for specific income groups. “There is enough money available” he asserted. “If we cannot manage within those resources, we must reduce costs.
To achieve cost savings, Blatt advocated for capping the profits of pharmaceutical companies, arguing that many patented medications are overpriced. He acknowledged the need for manufacturers to recoup research and development costs and earn profits, but stated that the current situation in Germany is unsustainable, with the highest profit margins in Europe. He called for a return to “proportionate” compensation.
Regarding the financing of care services, Blatt believes stability can be achieved if the federal states “finally comply with their statutory payment obligations for investment costs”. He estimates adherence to the law could reduce the monthly cost borne by individuals requiring full-time care by 500 euros. He criticized the states’ reluctance, echoing a similar approach to investment costs of hospitals, which currently require subsidies from GKV contributions.
Finally, Blatt urged a financial equalization with the private care insurance system, reasoning that the latter provides the same benefits with lower risks. He believes such a measure would strengthen the social care insurance system by several billion euros.