TK Aims to Prevent Increased Additional Contributions

The Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) has voiced concerns regarding the lack of immediate measures to curb rising costs in health insurance. According to a recent statement from the TK administrative board, the coalition agreement proposed by CDU, CSU, and SPD does not offer concrete solutions to address the ongoing contribution spiral. Instead, it outlines the formation of an expert committee tasked with developing proposals by 2027, a timeline deemed too lengthy by TK officials.

In their communication, the TK board expressed dissatisfaction with the agreement's omission of relief measures for health funds. Dominik Kruchen, the alternating chair of the TK administrative board, emphasized the necessity for the state to finance certain responsibilities through tax revenues rather than relying solely on contributions from insured individuals.

Previously, a health working group had stated that contributions for recipients of citizen's income would be fully funded through tax revenues; however, this provision was removed from the coalition agreement. Despite this setback, the federal government has committed to covering the portion of the transformation fund allocated for hospital reform, which was originally expected to be financed by the insurance funds.

Back in February, the TK administrative board had already outlined potential strategies to stabilize contribution rates. They called for an immediate action plan for contribution stabilization within the statutory health insurance system right after the new government was formed.

The urgency of the situation was reiterated by Dieter F. Märtens, another alternating chair of the TK board. He stated that legislation to halt the contribution increase should be initiated by January 1, 2026, to ensure its effectiveness for upcoming budgetary decisions and additional contributions for 2026. Märtens stressed that political will is crucial to adhere to this timeline, as there are numerous viable proposals available, and delaying action through a commission would only squander time and resources.

Similarly, the IKK has called for prompt solutions, advocating for an expenditure moratorium linked to the base wage sum of service expenses until the necessary structural reforms are implemented. IKK board chairman Hans-Jürgen Müller remarked that health funds are currently in a precarious situation.