Berlin, April 2, 2026 A German commission has recommended against consolidating the country’s 93 statutory health insurance funds into a single entity, citing concerns over market concentration and administrative inefficiencies. The commission highlighted that the number of statutory health insurance funds in Germany has sharply declined from 1,815 in 1970 to just 93 today. Despite this consolidation, the 20 largest funds now cover 84% of all insured individuals, with market shares in some federal states reaching between 68% and 85%. Markus Blumenthal-Beier, chairman of the Association of General Practitioners, urged health insurance funds to focus on reducing their own administrative costs. The commission noted that administrative expenses for these funds have risen by only 7% in recent years, suggesting room for further efficiency improvements. The recommendation comes amid debates over whether a single, unified health insurance system would streamline operations or stifle competition. The commission’s findings indicate that further consolidation could exacerbate existing market imbalances rather than resolve them. Germany’s statutory health insurance system has long relied on a multi-fund structure, with ongoing discussions about potential reforms to address cost and efficiency challenges. The latest data underscores the dominance of a handful of large funds in the market.