Further information on changing health insurance provider

contractual binding period

You are bound by your choice of health insurance for 12 months (this does not apply if the additional contribution is increased or your employer changes). After that, you can change health insurance providers.

changeover period

If you change providers, there is a change-over period of at least 2 months. Example: If wereceive your membership application no later than May 30th (!),  then your previous membership can end on July 31st at the earliest and the hkk membership begins on August 1st.

Special right of termination

If your health insurance company increases the premium, you have a special right of termination up to the end of the month in which the increased premium begins. Your membership application must be received by the hkk before the end of the month. Then is no binding period of 12 months at your current health insurance.

Example: Your health insurance company informs you of the increase in the additional premium on January 1st. Even if you were insured there for less than 12 months, you can now submit your membership application to the hkk by January 31st at the latest (the date of receipt counts). The change will then be possible beginning April 1st.

The special right of termination also applies if you have subscribed to an optional tariff (e.g. premium refund or deductible) with your health insurance company. However, if you have taken out an optional sick pay plan, there is a three-year binding period.

Right to choose health insurance when changing employers

Employees subject to compulsory insurance can also change their health insurance company directly and immediately when they change their employer - without taking into account the binding and change periods. There are three prerequisites:

(1.) Both jobs are subject to compulsory insurance and the interruption between the jobs is not longer then one month.

(2.) Your membership application is submitted to hkk within 2 weeks of starting your employment.

(3.) You inform your new employer informally about your choice of a hkk membership within 2 weeks.

If this deadline is missed, the previous health insurance company remains responsible for your insurance. You can then switch to the hkk while observing the changeover deadline of 2 months.

Notes: There is an immediate right to choose a health insurance company, even if there is a transition from compulsory health insurance to a voluntary membership or vice versa (e.g. exceeding the compulsory health insurance limit).

Being family insured and taking up employment or vocational training

If you are insured as a family member and take up employment or vocational training, you can become a hkk customer straight away. This also applies if you have private health insurance. The prerequisites are:

(1.) Your membership application is submitted within 2 weeks of starting your employment with hkk.

(2.) You inform your new employer informally about your choice of hkk membership within 2 weeks.

If you missed this deadline, the last responsible health insurance company remains responsible for your insurance.

Note: For those previously privately insured who are now required to have health insurance, there is a special right to terminate private insurance.