Many of those affected are now receiving mail Health insurance company raises premiums in the middle of the year - is it allowed to?

In the middle of the year, health insurer Klug raises premiums. But can the insurance company do this just like that? And what are my rights?

In the middle of the year, health insurance policyholders suddenly have to pay higher premiums. From September, Klug health insurance policyholders in the cantons of Aargau, Lucerne, Nidwalden and Zurich will have to pay higher premiums for basic insurance, while supplementary insurance will remain unchanged. This is reported by the "Beobachter".

Can you raise premiums in the middle of the year? Yes. The Federal Office of Public Health made this decision due to the poor financial situation of the health insurance fund. As the supervisory authority, the FOPH monitors the solvency of health insurers.

The 2023 solvency test already found that Klug-Krankenkasse had the lowest solvency ratio of all insurers tested, at 43%. This ratio indicates the ratio of the actual reserves to the required minimum level, meaning that Klug was only able to cover 43% of the required minimum reserves. The results of the 2024 solvency test are still pending.

Premium increases during the year are rare

Managing Director Yvonne Dempfle explained to SRF that the Klug health insurance company is a victim of its own success. In 2023, the fund experienced strong growth, which led to lower reserves. Possible reasons for this could be that premiums were set too low or unforeseen cost developments in the cantons concerned.

Premium increases during the year are rare and last took place eight years ago, as the "Beobachter" writes. Health insurance companies must inform their customers of premium changes at least two months in advance.

Affected policyholders can cancel their basic insurance until the end of July, whereby the new insurer must confirm seamless continued insurance by August 31.