PKV fear: Pensioners in Kiel are struggling with exploding contributions!

PKV fear: Pensioners in Kiel are struggling with exploding contributions!

What is happening in the world of private health insurance? A look at the developments shows that pensioners and self-employed people with low incomes are in a tense situation. Pension notice24 reports significant premium increases that are causing increasing concern. Next year, people in Kiel, for example, will pay an impressive 938 euros per month - an increase of 35 euros. This trend affects many people who have been privately insured for a long time and are wondering how they should cover their health insurance costs.

In view of these developments, it is hardly surprising that the Schleswig-Holstein consumer advice center is recording an increase in requests for advice. More and more people are looking for solutions to cope with the financial pressure caused by continuous premium adjustments. Dr. Hinrik Dotzer, an orthopedist from Kiel, points out that not all privately insured people have deep pockets. Self-employed people in particular who do not receive any aid have to cover their private health insurance contributions entirely themselves.

Causes and developments

According to health economist Thomas Drabinski, private health insurance contributions increase by around 10 percent annually. An average increase of 13 percent is expected this year. The reasons for this are complex: rising treatment costs, increasing medical inflation and the need to create provisions for aging play a central role. The development is particularly affecting older insured people who are in tariffs that have hardly been adjusted for a long time.

As a result of these increased costs, many well-off insured people find themselves under significant pressure. Around two thirds of the insured, around 5.8 million, are affected by the increases. Private-krankenkasse-pkv.de reports that any increases in contributions are regulated by law and may only occur if the actual costs incurred deviate from the calculated costs by more than 10 percent.

Options for action for those affected

The question remains: What can affected insured persons do? For many people, switching to statutory health insurance (GKV) is almost impossible due to strict requirements. Younger privately insured people have better chances if they go back to work subject to social insurance contributions, while older insured people often no longer meet the requirements for a change. Switching to a different tariff within your own private health insurance could be an option, but lawyers like Katrin Reinhardt warn of possible benefit restrictions.

Nevertheless, there are various strategies to combat rising premiums: Changing tariffs within your own insurance can make sense in order to avoid high costs. Consumer advice center offers a free sample letter to obtain the necessary information from the PKV.

outlook

The pressure on pensioners and the self-employed is growing, and many have to spend almost half of their pension on health insurance. In the long term, a fundamental reform of the system is therefore required in order to alleviate the challenges for those affected. It remains to be seen whether contribution-free health insurance for children or other measures will be introduced in the future. One thing is certain, however: time is short and those responsible are called upon to find solutions to prevent financial hardship for those insured.