Since 30 July 2026, health insurers no longer have to tell you by letter when they raise their additional contribution. That duty is meant to come back: the Bundestag passed it on 15 October 2026 together with the emergency care reform. Now the federal states are slowing things down. The Bundesrat's health and home affairs committees recommend calling the mediation committee (Vermittlungsausschuss) on several points of the emergency care reform – mainly the new emergency centres and the costs of ambulance services. The letter duty itself is not one of those points.
What the insurer would then have to tell you: Under the law passed by the Bundestag, it would have to inform you by letter or electronic document by the end of the month before the increase at the latest. The notice would have to cover your right to cancel, the average additional contribution and the GKV-Spitzenverband overview of insurers’ rates. If the new rate is above the average, it would also have to say that you can switch to a cheaper insurer. If it does not inform you in time and you cancel only after the normal deadline, your cancellation would count as made in the month from which the higher rate is due. This would take effect the day after the law is promulgated.
What happens next: The Bundesrat decides on 20 November 2026. If it follows the recommendation, the Bundestag and Bundesrat negotiate in the mediation committee. Until then the act cannot enter into force – and neither can the letter duty. Because this act does not need the Bundesrat's consent, the Bundesrat usually cannot stop it in the end, but it can delay it. If it does not follow the recommendation, the way is clear.
What this means for you: Right now, health insurers are setting their additional contributions for 2027. Even if no letter arrives, your insurer can still become more expensive. Your special right to cancel after an increase still applies, with or without a letter. You can find your insurer's current rate in our list of all additional contributions; benefits differ, so compare contribution and benefits.
Source: Ärzteblatt, 5 Nov 2026 · Bundestag decision of 15 Oct 2026 including the duty to inform (Drs. 620/26) · Committee recommendations (Drs. 620/1/26) · Mediation procedure: Art. 77 Basic Law · Special right to cancel: § 175 SGB V