GKV-Ranking: Kundenorientierte Krankenkassen: Wo Versicherte für ihre Beiträge am meisten bekommen

Düsseldorf - Despite strict regulations governing the competition among statutory health insurance providers, the market remains limited, with nearly 95 percent of treatments predetermined by lawmakers. Additionally, insurers offer optional supplementary services that can make a significant difference for policyholders, according to Julia Rasche, press spokesman for DAK-Gesundheit health insurance.

The availability of these additional services encourages closer ties between insurance companies and their customers, while also helping to keep costs down. Thomas Adolph, who runs the online portal gesetzlichekrankenkassen.de, notes that the most sought-after extra is often coverage for professional dental cleaning. Other frequently requested benefits include osteopathy, early detection of skin cancer in individuals under 35, specialized dental treatments, and additional vaccination and travel protection.

Saving money is also a priority for policyholders, with many seeking discounts for non-smokers, gym memberships, maintaining a healthy weight, lower premiums for healthy lifestyles, reduced dental treatment costs, the freedom to choose hospitals without extra fees, and health-related fitness courses. However, not all insurers provide the same set of supplementary benefits.

"Therefore, it is crucial for policyholders to find the insurance company that best meets their needs," says Thomas Lemke, CEO of the German Financial Service Institute (DFSI). Moreover, it is vital to compare the specifics of the voluntary benefits offered by different insurers, as they can vary considerably.

The DFSI evaluated the data from the online portal and exclusively identified the most customer-oriented insurers for the Handelsblatt. Eight health insurers operating nationwide received the rating "excellent," while nine others were deemed "very good." While supplementary benefits are popular, the contribution rate remains the most significant factor for policyholders.

The analysis also shows that the contribution rate has a much greater impact on policyholders than the availability of supplementary benefits. However, insurers have limited control over the contribution rate, as numerous external factors influence the overall financial situation of all insurers. "Too many external influences determine the generally poor financial situation of all insurers," Lemke explains.

Nevertheless, supplementary benefits remain the only area in which insurers can actively differentiate themselves. Yet, there is still insufficient competition. Jens Baas, chairman of the Techniker Krankenkasse board, emphasizes that the comprehensive package of price, service, and supplementary benefits is crucial for policyholders.

Among these benefits are digital offerings that insurers increasingly provide, ranging from round-the-clock medical advice and treatment via app to health applications (DiGA) and coaching apps. Digital health services are becoming increasingly important, according to Julia Rasche, DAK press spokesman. The digital approach allows patients to receive care and treatment with minimal restrictions on location and time.

This is particularly appealing to younger policyholders who value the convenience of digital contact for addressing their concerns. Despite concerns about potential reductions in supplementary benefits, policyholders need not worry. Although insurers face pressure to cut costs, supplementary benefits constitute a small portion of the average total expenses of €4,515.83 per insured person in the previous year, with an average of €14.01 allocated to voluntary supplementary benefits. Reducing these benefits could save at most 0.31 percent of costs while reducing competition.