English information

It's that easy to switch to hkk

Simply fill out the membership application and send it to hkk - done.

If you switch to hkk from another statutory health insurance company, you must be insured there for at least 12 months. After that, you can change insurance providers about 2 months after submitting your application (for example: If we receive your membership application on January 15th, the change will take place on April 1st).

There are also other options for switching - for example, if your current health fund increases the additional contribution or if you take up a new job (additional information available below).

We take care of everything

- including the cancellation of your old health insurance. About three weeks after receiving your application for membership, we will send you a letter with further information and, if necessary, requesting additional information or documents from you. One to two weeks after everything has been received at the hkk, we will send you the new health insurance card.

Fully insured

In case there is a delay in the change of providers, the change date will be postponed by a month. If, for some reason, the change cannot be carried out, you will automatically stay with your previous health insurance company. The change may only take place if the statutory deadlines have been complied with and all legally required information and documents have been received by us in full. However we make it easy for you: This is why our online membership application only asks for mandatory information pertaining to your specific status (e.g. employees, students, self-employed).

membership application

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.

Any questions?

The right to choose a health insurance provider has only briefly been explained here. We will be happy to help you with any questions. Please call our hotline at +49 (0)421 3655-8584.