Guidelines on changing tariffs in private health insurance
The guidelines of the private health insurance for a transparent and customer-oriented tariff change (short: tariff change guidelines of the private health insurance ) are a guideline for the practice of the tariff change in the private full health insurance developed in 2014 by the association of private health insurance . The basis is the right to change tariffs in accordance with Section 204 of the Insurance Contract Act (VVG). The member companies of the guidelines, which came into force on January 1, 2016, include 25 of the largest private insurance companies in Germany such as Allianz , Debeka , Axa and Signal Iduna . The aim of the guidelines is a customer-friendly procedure with regard to the right to change tariffs in private health insurance on the part of insurance companies.
background
According to the reform of the Insurance Contract Act (VVG), privately insured persons have been entitled to change tariffs within the insurance company according to Section 204 since January 1, 2009 without losing their aging reserves .
Due to economic disadvantages for insurance companies, according to media reports, in the past they have repeatedly blocked their customers' concerns about changing tariffs or torpedoed them by deliberate uncertainty or simply by pointing out alternatives that are unattractive to customers. After repeated criticism of this approach in the press and consumer advice centers, the private insurance association drew up the “Guidelines for private health insurance for a transparent and customer-oriented tariff change” in 2014, which are intended to contribute to the enacted laws in the practice of insurance companies to anchor.
Regulations
The primary goal of the guidelines is to create more transparency and thus freedom of choice for customers on the private health insurance market. The policyholder's right to change tariffs is recognized and the insurance company assures him of comprehensive, individual and transparent advice on equivalent tariff alternatives. Contrary to the premise of the greatest possible transparency, however, the insurer is also given the option of preselecting the tariffs considered suitable.
The companies that have joined the guidelines undertake, among other things, to answer queries from the insured about the implementation of a tariff change within 15 working days, as well as to ensure that the tariff change request is carried out quickly with the help of further information and individual advice. If processing is delayed in individual cases, an interim message will be sent within the deadline, possibly with a request to complete the documents. If a risk assessment is required when applying for a tariff change, this will be carried out immediately. The insurance company gives a telephone number or a contact person.
In addition, customer complaints about tariff change are processed comprehensively and quickly according to the guideline. If possible, the insured receives a comprehensive and understandable written answer to the complaint within 15 working days. If the processing is delayed in individual cases, an interim message will be sent within the period.
The participating companies undertake to anchor the specified requirements in the company's practice. Nonetheless, membership and approval of the guidelines for changing tariffs in private health insurance are voluntary.
criticism
As before, cases are known from practice that speak against a comprehensive implementation of the guidelines in the industry. In addition, not all large insurance companies have committed to implementing the guidelines. Companies like HanseMerkur , Central or uniVersa , for example, are not among the participating companies. Furthermore, the guidelines do not contain any sanctions or consequences that define a procedure in the event of non-compliance with the requirements.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Tariff change guidelines of the private health insurance Association of private health insurance. Accessed on February 10, 2017.
- ↑ Obstruction of the change of private health insurance tariff SPIEGEL from June 18, 2013
- ↑ Problems with changing tariffs in the PKV consumer center Hamburg. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
- ↑ Tariff change guidelines of the private health insurance Association of private health insurance. Accessed on February 10, 2017.
- ↑ Problems with changing tariffs in the PKV consumer center Hamburg. Retrieved February 10, 2017.