A draft decree from the German Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) stipulates that the statutory health insurance (SHI) will receive an increase in the federal subsidy to the health fund of 14 billion euros instead of the seven billion euros that had been budgeted, in order to have more planning security in 2022. 28.5 billion euros would then be the amount of the federal subsidy instead of the 14.5 billion euros usually paid out.
The German government expects the measure to provide additional stability for the statutory level of 1.3 percent on average of the additional contribution, which would lead to burdens on insured persons due to increases in the additional contribution rate. Contribution rate increases are therefore not to be expected for the time being as a result of the increase in funds for the federal subsidy. However, the Corona pandemic will also lead to „cyclical revenue shortfalls“ in 2022, experts in financing issues predict. The reserves of the GKV have also melted because eight billion euros have already flowed into the health fund.
The Estimators‘ Circle forecast, made up of representatives of the BMG, the Federal Social Security Office and the GKV-Spitzenverband, has come to the conclusion that revenues of 256.8 billion euros will far exceed rising expenditures of 284.2 billion euros. According to expert calculations, a gaping financial hole of 27.4 billion euros is to be expected, which cannot be covered by the calculated money from the additional contribution rate of 1.3 percent – the AOK has calculated an amount of 20.5 billion euros here for all those insured by the GKV. Thus, with 2.1 billion euros from the liquidity reserve of the health fund included, there would still be a shortfall of seven billion euros, which would now have to be approved by the Federal Ministry of Finance according to the BMG’s draft.
In a decision by the Bundestag in the next few weeks, the health insurance funds then expect a quick funding commitment so that contributions can also be kept stable in 2022.
Source: www.aerzteblatt.de