The head of Germany’s Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), Jens Baas, has advocated for a significant reduction in the number of statutory health insurance providers. In a recent interview on the POLITICO Berlin Playbook podcast, Baas suggested that the current system, boasting nearly 100 providers, is excessive, considering its origins with over 1,000. He proposed a more streamlined structure, stating that a range of 30 to 40 providers would be sufficient for overall functionality, while a selection of 10 to 20 would offer adequate choice for individuals seeking insurance. Regional and company-specific insurers would also have a place within this model.
Baas’s comments follow similar calls from Bavarian Health Minister Klaus Holetschek (CSU), who has previously highlighted the need for reform given rising social security costs. He acknowledged the growing burden of ancillary wage costs on both the population and the economy, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the situation.
However, Baas cautioned that consolidation alone would not necessarily yield substantial savings. He clarified that any cost reductions would primarily be limited to administrative overhead within the individual health insurance funds, which he noted currently represent a relatively small percentage of overall expenditure.
Baas firmly dismissed the possibility of cutting benefits as a viable solution. He expressed satisfaction with the current scope of coverage offered by the statutory health insurance system, asserting that it already prioritizes essential services and indicating that further cuts in areas like glasses and dental care would be difficult to justify.
