German health insurers hike executive pay while raising member premiums in 2024

Executives at several of Germany's largest statutory health insurers have received significant salary increases and bonuses in 2024. The raises come as the industry faces financial pressure and raises premiums for members. Many of these firms have also demanded cost cuts from healthcare providers while boosting pay for top leaders.

At AOK Baden-Württemberg, CEO Gordana Maršić saw her salary climb from €185,000 to €206,000, along with a €6,938 bonus. Meanwhile, AOK Hessen awarded its three executives a combined €159,767 in bonuses after hiking its premium rate from 1.6% to 2.49%. AOK Niedersachsen followed a similar pattern, paying its three top managers bonuses between €38,381 and €62,576 despite increasing its additional contribution rate.

Dr. Carola Reimann, head of the AOK Federal Association, earned €319,400 in salary plus an extra €121,241 for her pension. Michael Lempe, CEO of Handelskrankenkasse (HKK), received a €21,419 raise, bringing his total pay to €287,104. Christine Enenkel, CEO of Bahn-BKK, saw her salary rise from €178,750 to €195,000, with a €44,688 bonus. Other insurers also boosted executive pay. Peter Kaetsch, head of BIG direkt gesund, got a €28,750 raise, while his deputy, Markus Bäumler, received an additional €24,050. Dirk Harrer, the new CEO of BKK Firmus, earned €31,424 more than his predecessor had in the previous year. These pay increases coincide with a rise in the average additional contribution rate for statutory health insurance, which jumped from 2.5% in 2025 to 2.9% in 2026. The total contribution rate now stands at a record 17.5%.

The salary hikes and bonuses for health insurance executives arrive as the sector tightens budgets and raises costs for members. With premiums climbing and financial strain persisting, the gap between executive compensation and broader cost-cutting measures has widened. Insurers have not publicly detailed justifications for these pay increases alongside rising premiums.