Health insurance companies are becoming more expensive: Here's how you can switch

In Germany, health insurance is compulsory for all citizens. This means that you cannot avoid being a member of a health insurance company. And there are good reasons for that. In the event of illness, every citizen should have the opportunity to receive medical treatment, regardless of his or her income.

If an expensive operation or treatment for a serious illness is required, the costs are often so high that it would mean financial ruin for most people. This is currently proven by the Heinz Hoenig case: The actor is currently being treated in the hospital and has to undergo two serious operations. Since the actor does not have health insurance, as his wife Annika always asserts, he has to cover the costs of the treatments himself.

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There is no question about how important it is to have health insurance. But what if you want to change your health insurance company? Is it just possible and how do health insurance companies differ? We'll explain to you when it's worth it and how you should proceed.

Changing health insurance: is it worth it?

SeaCheck2495% of the services are identical for all health insurance companies. Only 5% of the services differ. Health insurance companies are free to decide on their additional services. Health insurance companies can also determine the amount of additional contributions themselves. Basically, you don't have to worry about paying much more than others or receiving significantly fewer services.

The basic amount of 14.6% of gross income is the same for every health insurance company. The average additional contributions have been 1.6% since the beginning of 2023. If the average additional contributions have increased, as was the case at the beginning of 2023, it makes sense to think about a change. In most cases, not all health insurance companies increase their contributions and are therefore cheaper overall. With us you will find out everything you need to know about changing your health insurance provider.

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Changing health insurance: Here's how it works

In 2021, the process for changing health insurance companies was made easier. If you want to change health insurance, all you have to do is choose oneSubmit an application to the new health insurance company. This informs the old health insurance company about the change.

Insured persons can switch to any statutory health insurance provider if they have been insured with their previous health insurance provider for at least twelve months. If the health insurance company has increased the additional contributions, insured persons can also change within twelve months. A special right of termination applies here.

If you change employers, you can change health insurance at any time. The twelve-month commitment to the health insurance company does not apply here. Those with family insurance can also change at any time.

When changing, theNotice period of two months to the end of the monthbe adhered to. Anyone who decides on a new health insurance company in March and applies for membership will become a member of the new health insurance company on June 1st. If you were previously legally insured, every statutory health insurance company must take you on. So you are completely free to decide which health insurance company you want.

If you want to get private insurance or move abroad, you leave the statutory health insurance system and therefore have to cancel your health insurance yourself.