Health insurance companies: Observe the special right of termination in the event of an additional premium increase

Dusseldorf. The legislature sets the general contribution rate for health insurance. What statutory health insurance companies can determine themselves is the individual additional contribution. This year it is on average 2.9 percent, but can vary from fund to fund. The providers are generally allowed to adjust this additional contribution rate several times a year - but this usually only happens once around the turn of the year. Until now, the health insurance companies had to inform their insured persons by letter about upcoming changes. This has no longer been the case since the end of July, according to the NRW consumer advice center.

Even if some providers want to continue to provide information voluntarily, the reform results in a disadvantage for insured people. The reason: If a health insurance company increases the individual additional contribution, consumers generally have a special right of termination. However, if you wish to change, you must exercise this by the end of the month in which the higher additional contribution is due for the first time. Anyone who doesn't notice in time has therefore lost their special right of termination.

A change is still not ruled out. As soon as the regular twelve-month commitment period to a health insurance fund has expired, insured persons can switch to a new provider with two full months' notice at the end of the month. Even if you change your employer, you can switch immediately without notice.

If you want to change provider due to a premium increase, you simply have to apply for a new membership to the receiving fund in a timely manner. The new cash register takes care of the change and all formalities, says the NRW consumer advice center.