Editor: Mr. Schillmöller, there is currently a lot of discussion about statutory health insurance (GKV) – increasing contributions, possible benefit cuts and the question of how the system can be financed in the future. Why is the topic of private health insurance (PKV) so relevant right now?
Fabian Schillmöller: We are currently experiencing a turning point. Statutory health insurance companies are under massive financial pressure – due to demographic change, rising healthcare costs and the shortage of skilled workers in the healthcare sector. For insured people, this means in practice: higher contributions while at the same time decreasing benefits.
Many of my customers are already feeling this – longer waiting times for specialists, higher additional contributions or treatments that they have to pay for themselves. More and more people are therefore asking themselves how they can secure their health care in the long term – and this is exactly where private health insurance becomes interesting.
Editor: Does that mean that you generally recommend that everyone switch to private health insurance?
Fabian Schillmöller: No, not at all. As an insurance broker, I see my job as objectively checking what really makes sense for the individual. A switch to private health insurance should never be done just for cost reasons.
Of course, it can be cheaper initially – especially for young and healthy people. However, the main goal should be better medical care – through:
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free choice of doctor and hospital,
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shorter waiting times,
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more modern treatment methods.
If you save additional money in the process, that’s a nice side effect. But those who go into private health insurance solely because of the contribution usually do not make a sustainable decision. Private health insurance is a lifelong decision – and should be carefully considered.
Editor: For whom does the change particularly make sense?
Fabian Schillmöller: PKV is particularly interesting for
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Self-employed people and freelancers who pay the full GKV contribution anyway,
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well-earning employees above the annual salary limit (JAEG),
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Civil servants who benefit from state aid
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as well as young career starters who can “freeze” their good health in order to make decisions later in peace.
As a provider-independent financial advisor, I always look at the overall situation: income, family planning, health and future prospects. Only on this basis can I seriously assess whether a private health insurance is really suitable.
In practice, I don’t recommend that around 40% of my customers make the switch. Another 30% fail the health exam. Only the rest actually benefit – that shows how individual this decision is.
Editor: If your state of health does not allow you to change, is the path to private health insurance immediately blocked?
Fabian Schillmöller: No, not at all. There are alternatives here too – for example through the employer and company health insurance (bKV). This model is still new for many companies, but offers enormous opportunities to provide better care for employees and at the same time become more attractive as an employer. Insurance is usually possible without a health check. We also provide comprehensive advice in this area – both for employees and employers.
Editor: Many people are afraid of having to pay too high contributions in old age. How do you address this concern?
Fabian Schillmöller: This is a very legitimate concern – and one of the biggest myths surrounding private health insurance. Mistakes were often made when getting started, for example because people only paid attention to the price. Modern tariffs work differently: They create provisions for old age in order to keep contributions stable in the long term. In contrast to the GKV, which purely redistributes, here you save specifically for the future.
There are also clever strategies to position yourself optimally at an early stage – for example by choosing the right tariff, option tariffs or targeted accumulation of reserves. A healthy customer can also benefit from premium refunds, and for employees, the employer even contributes to the provisions. Those who prepare themselves correctly early on can have better financial security in old age than many people insured by statutory health insurance.
Editor: What advice would you give to people who are currently thinking about making a change?
Fabian Schillmöller: It’s simple: If you want to get a clear overview, you can arrange a non-binding initial appointment with me. Together we check whether private health insurance makes sense for each individual, which tariffs are suitable and what the long-term impact of the decision is.
My goal is that every customer can ultimately make an informed decision – whether for or against private health insurance.
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Contact:
Fabian Schillmöller Finance and insurance broker, Global-Finanz AG
📞 06131 – 633 88 96
📱 0171 – 179 32 96
🌐 www.finanzberatungmainz.de
Fabian Schillmöller, insurance broker in accordance with Section 34d Paragraph 1 GewO
Commercial agent §§ 84 ff. HGB of Global-Finanz AG Registration number: D-7IB5-MI26Z-53 Responsible supervisory authority: Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Rheinhessen, Schillerplatz 7, 55116 Mainz
This interview is a promotional publication by Fabian Schillmöller. The content does not represent individual advice. The information provided in this interview does not replace personal advice. Every decision to change insurance should be based on an individual analysis.
