TK Health Insurance Is Lying to You

Key Takeaways

An internal email from Germany’s biggest health insurer reveals misleading information, sparking concerns about their integrity.
Big blue misrepresents the comparison between public and private health insurance, ignoring key differences for high earners.
Public health insurance premiums rise yearly despite claims of stability, misleading customers about their real costs.
The insurer falsely claims public insurance offers better rates in retirement, misrepresenting private insurance’s retirement benefits.
Public health insurance’s family coverage isn’t free in many cases, while private plans offer more affordable options.
Public health insurance is losing billions, threatening financial security, while private insurers are financially strong.
Big blue’s misleading claims raise serious questions about public health insurers’ honesty and customer transparency.
Carefully evaluate your health insurance options and seek expert advice to make the best financial decision.

Introduction

Health is one of our most valuable assets, and having the right health insurance is key to safeguarding it. But what if your health insurance provider was not entirely truthful with you?

In a leaked internal email from Germany’s biggest public health insurance provider—let’s call them “big blue health insurance” to avoid legal issues—several discrepancies were revealed that raise important questions about the integrity of their practices. Let’s take a closer look at what’s really going on behind the scenes and what this means for you as a policyholder.

The Misleading Email: What Sparked This Controversy?

Before diving into the specific points of contention, it’s important to note that this is not a personal vendetta against Big Blue health insurance. In fact, we have previously referred people to this insurer because they are one of the few public health insurers in Germany that cater to English speakers. However, a particular email they sent after a policyholder switched to private health insurance (PHI) caught our attention.

Big Blue was clearly frustrated at losing €1,024 per month in premiums, prompting them to send an email filled with half-truths. This amount reflects what someone earning more than €69,300 a year would contribute to public health insurance, making them eligible to switch to private insurance. The contents of this email are troubling and misleading, so let’s break it down.

Public vs. Private Health Insurance: An Unfair Comparison

The first glaring issue with the email was how it compared public health insurance (SHI) to private health insurance (PHI). They incorrectly framed the comparison as public vs. private, rather than differentiating between “forced” public (for those earning under €69,300 in 2024) and “voluntary” public (for those eligible to switch to private but choosing not to). This distinction is crucial because the rules for voluntary public members—those earning over €69,300 in 2024—are vastly different from those who are forced into the public system.

By failing to differentiate between these two groups, Big Blue Health Insurance conveniently overlooks key details that could affect your decision on whether to stay with public health insurance or switch to private. If you are among the high earners who have the freedom to choose, it’s important to understand the nuances of both systems.

Public Premiums: The Truth Behind the Numbers

The email claims that public health insurance premiums have remained stable over the last decade, but that’s misleading. While the basic rate is 14.6%, this percentage applies to a government-determined salary cap, which increases every year. This means that, in practice, your premiums will rise even if the official rate stays the same. Additionally, public health insurers like Big Blue tack on an additional 1.2% in “extra” contributions, meaning you’re actually paying closer to 15.8%.

The situation is even worse. In 2023, contributions for care insurance were increased to 3.4% for parents and 4% for those without children. So, in reality, many people are paying around 19.2% to 19.8%, far more than the 14.6% rate publicized by Big Blue.

In contrast, private health insurance bases premiums primarily on entry age and coverage, not income. A 30-year-old with top-tier coverage could pay half of what they would for public insurance, with the potential for even greater savings as they get older.

Sick Leave and Retirement: Exposing More Misinformation

Another problematic claim in the email is that public health insurance lowers contributions when you’re disabled or retired, whereas private health insurance supposedly does not. This is yet another misleading statement. Public health insurers like Big Blue continue charging premiums up to the maximum salary threshold, even when policyholders earn less due to disability or retirement. The email’s suggestion that these contributions drop automatically is simply not true.

On the other hand, private health insurance premiums are structured differently. They include built-in “seniority savings” that help keep costs manageable in retirement, and daily sick pay benefits that vanish when you no longer need them after retirement. Additionally, the email neglects to mention that private health insurance premiums are primarily affected by medical inflation, not by getting older—a detail conveniently overlooked by Big Blue.

Family Coverage: How Public and Private Systems Differ

One common argument in favor of public health insurance is that it covers family members for free, but this benefit comes with significant caveats. If your spouse or children have any income over €508 a month (in 2024), they will need to pay additional premiums. This could easily push the cost for a family of two working adults over €2,000 a month.

In private health insurance, you do pay extra to insure family members, but the added cost is usually quite reasonable. For instance, insuring children typically costs around €100 to €150 per month, half of which is often covered by the employer. So, even with multiple kids, the total cost of private health insurance could still be cheaper than staying with the public system, especially if you factor in cashback options offered by private providers.

Financial Stability: Public Health Insurance’s Dire Outlook

Perhaps the most alarming part of the email is the claim that public health insurance offers better financial security than private insurance. The reality is quite different. The public health insurance fund in Germany has been hemorrhaging money, losing €2.2 billion in the first half of 2024 alone. With only €6.2 billion left in reserves, the fund could be empty within a year.

Meanwhile, private health insurance companies are financially robust, sitting on over €338 billion in reserves that continue to grow. Given these figures, it’s clear which system offers more financial stability for policyholders in the long term.

The Final Verdict: Is Big Blue Health Insurance Trustworthy?

This email from Big Blue health insurance raises serious questions about the honesty of public health insurers in Germany. It also highlights the importance of carefully considering your options, especially if you’re eligible to switch from public to private health insurance. Whether it’s misleading comparisons, hiding the true costs, or exaggerating benefits, this kind of misinformation could lead policyholders to make uninformed decisions about their health and finances.

If you’re unsure about which system is right for you—public or private—it might be time to reevaluate your options. Don’t let misleading claims from public insurers like Big Blue cloud your judgment. Your health and financial future are far too important to leave to chance.

Conclusion

Health insurance is a critical decision that impacts not only your wellbeing but also your financial stability. If you feel deceived by your current provider or are simply unsure of your best option, it’s crucial to get expert advice.

At PerFinEx, we offer free consultations to help you weigh the pros and cons of both public and private health insurance. Visit our website at perfinex.de/meeting to book your consultation and make an informed choice for your future.