
German Health Minister Carsten Linnemann will reinstate a mandatory notification rule requiring health insurers to inform members of contribution increases, reversing a decision made earlier this year under his predecessor, Nina Warken. The rule, scrapped as part of a cost-cutting reform, had eliminated the obligation for insurers to notify policyholders of hikes in the additional contribution rate, which currently averages 3.1% on top of the statutory 14.6% payroll-based rate.
Linnemann told the *Rheinische Post* that contribution rates are "decisive information for the insured," and that insurers must notify members individually, either digitally via apps or in writing. The requirement will be reintroduced through amendments to the Contribution Rate Stabilization Act, according to his ministry .
Consumer advocates had criticized the removal of the notification duty, arguing it undermined policyholders’ special right to cancel their insurance within the month a rate hike takes effect. Ramona Pop, head of the Federation of German Consumer Organizations, said only direct notifications ensure members can exercise this right and assess whether switching providers is worthwhile .
The GKV-Spitzenverband, the association of statutory health insurers, welcomed the reinstatement but emphasized the need for digital notification options. Its chairman, Oliver Blatt, called it "good and right" for insurers to inform members of rate changes . The original reform had aimed to reduce bureaucracy, with insurers previously spending an estimated €1-2 per letter on notifications .
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