AOK concerns over German health insurance costs

The AOK-Bundesverband has raised concerns regarding rising costs and regulatory gaps within the German statutory health insurance system.

In August 2026, the association called for stricter regulations for digital health applications (DiGA). The AOK argued for abolishing unregulated pricing models that allow manufacturers to set prices during the first twelve months of listing, noting that average costs were expected to reach approximately 595 euros per application. They also proposed a mandatory 14-day trial period to combat high discontinuation rates.

By September 2026, the association shifted focus to the reimbursement of Hybrid-DRGs (sector-independent flat rates). Following a decision by the expanded assessment committee, AOK Chairwoman Dr. Carola Reimann warned that the decision would fail to resolve rising expenditures. The AOK Scientific Institute (WIdO) reported that Hybrid-DRGs caused approximately 360 million euros in additional costs for statutory health insurance in 2025. The AOK criticized the committee for excluding many services from price reductions, arguing this decreases incentives for ambulantization and maintains a financial burden on contributors.