Consumer Group Calls for Independent Health Insurance Comparison Platform

The Federation of German Consumer Organisations (vzbv) has urged policymakers to establish a public, independent online platform allowing citizens to comprehensively compare the more than 90 statutory health insurance providers in Germany. The initiative is intended to help insured individuals make informed decisions, particularly as changes in additional contribution rates for health insurance are anticipated in 2026.

Currently, individuals seeking to switch health insurance providers often focus only on premium costs due to a lack of accessible, neutral comparison tools. The consumer advocacy group emphasizes that meaningful comparisons should also account for service quality, accessibility, and the range of benefits offered by each insurer. Without transparent and reliable information, the process of selecting an appropriate health insurer remains challenging, potentially leading to costly mistakes for consumers.

The vzbv has recommended that such a comparison platform be integrated into the government's national health portal, www.gesund.bund.de, ensuring it is free from commercial interests and provides unbiased, transparent data. Previous legislative plans by the current coalition government included the development of a comparison portal that would cover specific health insurance benefits, but these have not yet been implemented.

According to a recent survey commissioned by the vzbv and conducted by the Forsa Institute, a majority of respondents indicated support for a comprehensive comparison tool. Out of 1,002 surveyed adults, 27 percent considered the idea very helpful, with an additional 32 percent rating it as somewhat helpful. The survey found that attributes such as customer service accessibility, support in scheduling medical appointments, and the speed of application processing were important factors for consumers when comparing insurance providers. Conversely, 37 percent of respondents found the idea less helpful or unnecessary.

With over 90 statutory health insurance options available, the absence of a dedicated, transparent, and publicly accessible comparison platform makes it difficult for insured individuals to weigh all relevant factors beyond price. The consumer group argues that this lack of clear information can hinder competition and reduce incentives for insurers to improve their services and offerings.

The proposal comes amid growing concerns about rising health insurance costs and the complexity of evaluating the diverse range of services and benefits provided by different insurers. The majority of health insurance providers cover essential services; however, differences exist in additional offerings such as preventive care, support programs, and reimbursement policies for certain treatments or vaccines. For example, some insurers fully reimburse the cost of vaccinations for individuals under 60, while others do not, further complicating direct comparisons.

Consumer advocates maintain that a government-backed comparison portal could increase transparency and empower citizens to select health insurance plans that best fit their individual needs, rather than basing decisions solely on price. The group continues to call on lawmakers to deliver on previous commitments and create the necessary framework for such a platform, underscoring the importance of reliable and accessible information in fostering a fair and competitive health insurance market.