German statutory health insurance premium rate reduction
At least 30 years of age, or more than 14 professional semester students can be exempted from the statutory health insurance mandatory restrictions on choice of private insurance companies, or remain in the statutory health insurance companies, as a voluntary insured, but this time the premium on the will be higher than previously.

Not long ago, the German Federal Government enacted the statutory health insurance rates to adjust the resolution, since July 1, 2009 onwards, the statutory health insurance premium rate from 15.5% reduced to 14.9%.

To reduce the funds rate ultimately borne by taxpayers

The premium rate reduction is funded entirely by state subsidies. The law's intention is to reduce the burden of labor and improve labor protection for the German economy package (Konjunkturpaket II) part of it. Health fund in the federal subsidies would thus increase by 30 billion euros.

Accounting for the statutory health insurance premiums

German statutory health insurance funds to support from the health fund, premiums paid by the insured health fund accounts for the bulk of the employees and employers pay insurance premiums.

Health fund on January 1, 2009 officially opened by law, to the statutory health insurance premium rates to be unified: the 15.5%. Since July 1, 2009 dropped to 14.9% since then; if the insured person does not demand that the Japanese medical insurance protection rate was 14.3%.

For the compulsory insured person, in particular, is an employee

According to the German "Social Insurance Law" Article 223 of the fifth book of the members of the statutory health insurance have to pay the premium obligations.

Employees a total premium of 14.9% of gross salary, which employers pay 7.0% of its employees to pay their 7.9%. Premiums to measure a maximum of 3675 euros per month gross wage. Gross wage exceeded this limit, the premium limit is measured here.

For voluntary insured persons, such as independent practitioners

"Social Insurance Law" Article 240 of the fifth book of this there is a corresponding provision. Independent practitioners to measure the premium to a maximum of 3675 euros per month. Issued if proof of income, you can stall per 42 euros a measure to reduce insurance premiums, but premiums measure of the minimum standards for 1260 euros, January 1, 2009 was 1242.50 euros per month.

For Students

Under normal circumstances students can choose between 25 years of age with her parents home insurance coverage health insurance, so no longer need to pay additional premiums. But for working more than 360 euros monthly income, or MINIJOB a monthly income of more than 400 euros will have the obligation to pay health insurance premiums.

At least 30 years of age, or more than 14 professional semester students can be exempted from the statutory health insurance mandatory restrictions on choice of private insurance companies, or remain in the statutory health insurance companies, as a voluntary insured, but this time the premium on the will be higher than previously.

In July 2009 after 1, college students the statutory health insurance premiums reduced by 55.55 euros per month for 53.40 euros, while care insurance premiums per month for 9.98 euros.

Criticism of the bill for lowering the premium

The most severe criticism came from ERSATZKASSE Association. Chairman of the board pointed out that the health fund the implementation of the statutory health insurance can not solve the problem, a number of the statutory health insurance institutions will be unable to afford the near future will impose additional premiums, the resulting burden on the insured will be re-aggravated.

To pay more premium, or pay less premium

Since the introduction of the health fund, the statutory health insurance institutions will be more than the excess premiums returned to policyholders, but only on condition that the insurance agency at a profit. A total of 18 of the statutory health insurance company after July 1 will be returned to policyholders part of the premiums, health insurance companies that only the total number of 1 / 10.

(The author is a German insurance company Allianz Regional Manager)