Technician expects massive contribution increases in statutory health insurance

According to the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), there is a threat of an increase in rates of up to 20 percent in statutory health insurance by the end of the decade. TK CEO Jens Baas expects significant contribution rate increases in the entire statutory health insurance system starting next year.

The average contribution will reach almost 17 percent, a size that was considered absurd just a few years ago. This upward trend is expected to continue, with a projected contribution rate of 20 percent by the end of the decade if no countermeasures are taken.

The rising costs are partly attributed to Germany's Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, who TK CEO Baas believes should take responsibility for stabilizing the finances of health insurance companies. Baas also warns of the skyrocketing prices of new medications, particularly gene therapies, and calls for reforms in price negotiations with the pharmaceutical industry.

He advocates for prices that reflect actual research and manufacturing costs, similar to the approach in Japan and the planned system in the United States.