German health insurers hike premiums while executives enjoy lavish pay raises
German health insurers hike premiums while executives enjoy lavish pay raises
German health insurers hike premiums while executives enjoy lavish pay raises
Executives at several of Germany's statutory health insurers have received significant pay rises and bonuses over the past year. The increases come as insurers raise premiums for members and push for cost cuts from healthcare providers. Critics highlight the contrast between rising executive pay and growing financial pressure on the system.
At BIG direkt gesund, head Peter Kaetsch saw his salary climb by €28,750, while deputy Markus Bäumler received an extra €24,050. These raises followed a premium increase to 3.39% for policyholders.
AOK Baden-Württemberg's CEO, Gordana Maršić, had her salary lifted from €185,000 to €206,000, along with a €6,938 bonus. This came after the insurer raised its additional premium to 2.6%. Meanwhile, AOK Niedersachsen awarded its three top executives bonuses between €38,381 and €62,576, despite hiking its premium to 2.7%.
Handelskrankenkasse (HKK) CEO Michael Lempe's pay jumped by €21,419 to €287,104, even as the insurer increased its premium to 2.5%. At Bahn-BKK, Christine Enenkel's salary rose from €178,750 to €195,000 in 2024, with a €44,688 bonus, following a premium hike to 3.4%. Her predecessor, Hans-Jörg Gittler, had earned €185,000 plus a €42,625 bonus the previous year.
Dirk Harrer, the new CEO of BKK Firmus, also received a salary increase of €31,424 compared to his predecessor. Dr. Carola Reimann, head of the AOK Federal Association, earned €319,400 in salary and an additional €121,241 for her pension.
Over the past five years, the average additional contribution rate for statutory health insurance has climbed from around 1.5-2.0% in 2021 to 2.9% in 2026. During this period, insurers have repeatedly called for spending cuts from hospitals and doctors while raising costs for members.
The latest pay increases for insurance executives arrive amid ongoing financial strain in Germany's healthcare system. Insurers continue to raise premiums for members while securing high salaries, bonuses, and pension supplements for their top managers. The trend reflects a widening gap between executive compensation and the financial pressures facing policyholders and providers.