Leading up to the Health Committee hearing on Monday regarding health reform, the head of the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) cautioned against a further increase in the contribution assessment ceiling. Jens Baas, the Chairman of the TK Board, told the “Rheinische Post” that if the government raises the contribution assessment ceiling again, it will undermine the solidarity system in the long run. While such a change might offer short-term financial gains, Baas warned that many high earners would subsequently switch to private health insurance, damaging the finances of the Statutory Health Insurance (GKV).
The Kassenchef predicted severe consequences, estimating that even with a modest increase in the contribution ceiling to €6,750, up to 250,000 people could switch to private insurance in the following year alone. Baas stressed that these high contributors and their premium payments would then be absent from the GKV system. “This leads to a deficit of about three billion euros in 2027 alone, and in the future, the community of solidarity will have to foot the bill,” he stated.
According to TK data, coalition factions are currently discussing a significant increase to the contribution assessment ceiling-much higher than was initially planned in the Contribution Rate Stabilization Act. The potential increase for 2027 could be up to €6,750 per month, which corresponds to the compulsory insurance threshold where registered statutory members can switch to private coverage. Should this occur, the TK calculated that both employees and employers would need to pay approximately €80 more each month.
