Beitragsrückstand / Aufforderung zum Nachweis (Krankenkasse)
Health insurance contribution arrears or request for proof (Krankenkasse): what to do
From: Your statutory health insurer (gesetzliche Krankenkasse)
Your health insurer says contributions are unpaid, or it asks you for proof, for example about your income. This letter is important because unpaid contributions can pause most of your benefits. You can often arrange payment in instalments.
Got this letter? Get your personal explanation.Take a photo. See your deadline, amount, and next steps, in your language. First letter free.Why you got this letter
- Contributions were not paid, for example because of low income, self-employment, or a direct debit that failed.
- The insurer needs proof of income or other facts to set your contributions.
- The insurer set contributions retroactively.
What to do
- 1Read the letter: what amount, which period, and what deadline.
- 2Check your bank statements. If you already paid, send proof.
- 3If you owe the money, pay as soon as you can. If you cannot pay in full, contact the insurer now and agree on an instalment plan in writing.
- 4If you receive support from the Jobcenter or Sozialamt, tell the insurer. The law says the pause of benefits does not apply, or ends, if you are in need of assistance under SGB II or SGB XII.
- 5If the insurer asks for proof, send the requested documents by the deadline. Keep copies.
- 6If the amount seems wrong, ask in writing for an explanation of how it was calculated.
Deadline
The deadline in the letter. For the pause of benefits, the law requires that two months of contributions are unpaid and you still did not pay after a reminder (Mahnung).
If you do nothing
If you owe two months of contributions and do not pay after a Mahnung, your benefits can be paused (§ 16 Abs. 3a SGB V). You are still covered for the treatment of acute illness and pain, for early detection check-ups, and for pregnancy and maternity. A late fee of 1 percent per started month can also apply, rounded down to a multiple of 50 euros of the outstanding amount. Insured people must answer the insurer's questions about facts that matter for their contributions without delay (§ 206 SGB V). If a breach of these duties causes the insurer extra costs, it may demand them back from the person responsible.
Can you object?
If the letter is a written decision (Bescheid) with a Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung, you can usually file a Widerspruch within one month after it is considered delivered (§ 84 SGG). Post counts as delivered on the fourth day after posting. A Mahnung alone usually asks for payment. Check your letter.
Words in this letter
- Beitragsrückstand
- Unpaid contributions.
- Mahnung
- A reminder to pay.
- Ruhen der Leistungen
- Your benefits are paused, except for emergency-type care.
- Ratenzahlung
- Paying in instalments.
- Säumniszuschlag
- A late fee of 1 percent per started month.
- Nachweis
- Proof, for example of income.
Example reply
Ask for an instalment plan.
[Vor- und Nachname]
[Anschrift]
Versichertennummer: [Versichertennummer]
An: [Krankenkasse, Adresse]
[Ort], [Datum]
Betreff: Ihr Schreiben vom [Datum] – Bitte um Ratenzahlung
Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,
ich habe Ihr Schreiben vom [Datum] über rückständige Beiträge in Höhe von [Betrag] Euro erhalten.
Ich kann den Betrag im Moment nicht in einer Summe zahlen, weil [Grund]. Ich bitte deshalb um eine Ratenzahlungsvereinbarung. Ich kann monatlich [Betrag] Euro zahlen, beginnend am [Datum].
Bitte bestätigen Sie mir die Vereinbarung schriftlich und bestätigen Sie, dass meine Leistungen während der Ratenzahlung weiter gewährt werden.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen
[Unterschrift]
[Vor- und Nachname]Show English translation
[Full name] [Address] Insurance number: [insurance number] To: [health insurer, address] [Place], [date] Subject: Your letter dated [date] – request for instalments Dear Sir or Madam, I received your letter dated [date] about outstanding contributions of [amount] euros. I cannot pay the amount in one sum at the moment because [reason]. I therefore ask for an instalment agreement. I can pay [amount] euros per month, starting on [date]. Please confirm the agreement in writing and confirm that my benefits continue while I pay in instalments. Kind regards [Signature] [Full name]
Questions people ask
Will I still get medical care if I have debts?
Yes, for the treatment of acute illness and pain, early detection exams, and pregnancy and maternity care. Other benefits can be paused.
How do I get my benefits back?
Benefits resume once all arrears and the contributions for the pause period are paid. They also resume if you agree a valid instalment plan and pay the instalments as agreed.
What if I receive Bürgergeld/Grundsicherungsgeld or Sozialhilfe?
The law says the pause does not apply or ends if you are in need of assistance under SGB II or SGB XII. The insurer should check this. Tell the insurer and send your benefit notice.
Do I have to give the insurer proof when asked?
Yes. Under § 206 SGB V, insured people must give the insurer the facts it needs to set contributions, report relevant changes without delay, and on request show the documents that prove them, in person at the insurer. Send what you can by the deadline and ask the insurer in writing if something is unclear.
Sources
- § 16 SGB V (Ruhen des Anspruchs auf Leistungen)
- § 24 SGB IV (Säumniszuschlag)
- § 206 SGB V (Auskunfts- und Mitteilungspflichten der Versicherten)
- Verbraucherzentrale Hamburg: Schulden bei der Krankenkasse
Updated 2026-10-20. This page explains a common type of letter; it is not legal advice. Your letter may differ, so check its dates and amounts.