Austrian health insurers expect a higher loss for 2022 than in August. The background to this is inflation, the war in Ukraine and the ensuing energy crisis. In concrete terms, the health insurers expect a deficit of 356.8 million euros.
In August they had expected 337.8 million euros. The loss is expected to increase further next year. Shortages are also expected for the years 2024 to 2026, with the cash deficit in 2026 being “only” more than 145 million euros.
The Co-President of the Conference of Social Security Institutions, Peter Lehner, nevertheless exuded confidence: “Even in difficult times, Social Security is the stable base and reliable system partner. We will consistently continue on the path we have embarked on with the reform and actively pursue digital transformation and harmonization,” he said in a written statement.
ÖGK: “Corona-related catch-up effects”
The Austrian health insurance fund (ÖGK) spoke in a broadcast of unexpected price increases due to higher energy costs. At the same time, the catch-up effects of the coronavirus would become tangible. The ÖGK, by far the largest provider, closed last year with a minus of 92.2 million euros. This year that is expected to rise to 176.7 million euros. “If the development of the labor market is stable, a balanced balance for the ÖGK from 2024 is possible,” but stressed.
The largest deficit of the three carriers in the previous year was the BVAEB of civil servants, railway workers and miners with 141.5 million euros. This is expected to increase even further this year, but to decrease steadily thereafter. The SVS of the self-employed and farmers, on the other hand, recorded an increase of 115.5 million euros last year. A surplus is also projected for 2022, but this will be significantly lower (15.4 million euros). Chairman Lehner said the coming years will be “complex to calculate” due to current global and economic developments.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
