Annual salary of almost 1 million: The wages of health insurers must be capped

Most recently, it was the bankers’ bonuses that sparked public outcry. But the wages of health insurers are also a regular target of politicians. In 2016 and 2018, members of the SP party demanded a ceiling on the wages of health insurers. The Federal Council was always against it, and the requests always watered down. Parliament is now making a fresh start. This time it looks better.

The Health Commission of the State Council on Monday ruled against a salary cap of CHF 250,000 for managers of health insurance companies, CH Media discovered. In the upcoming summer session, the Council of States will probably follow its health committee and reject the fixed salary cap of a quarter of a million francs.

Nevertheless, there could be a legal cap on pay for health insurance managers: According to information from CH Media, the State Council Health Commission (SGK-S) has referred a parliamentary initiative from National Councilor Baptiste Hurni (SP/NE), who has already accepted by the great room. This wants the Federal Council to set the wage ceiling. With the transfer by the SGK-S, the order for a legal basis for a wage ceiling has been issued.

The decisive factor in the debate in the National Council was the fact that CEOs earn more and more, while premium payers are increasingly taxed. Speaking on behalf of the committee, SP health politician Flavia Wasserfallen said: “Of course these excessive wages are annoying, especially in times of a very strong increase in premiums, which is currently imminent and will severely affect the purchasing power of many households in this country.” .”

In fact, wages have risen sharply over the past five years – in one case even doubling. As a result, the demand for a salary cap is supported not only by the left-greens, but also by part of the bourgeoisie.

The current debate on premiums could give the case an extra boost. Premiums rose by an average of more than 6 percent last year. According to experts, things could get even worse this fall: there is a threat of an average premium increase of up to 7.5 percent.

Health Minister Alain Berset (SP) did not want to speculate on Sunday evening about the size of the next premium increase in an interview with the ‘Tagesschau’ of the French-speaking Swiss television RTS. The award round will not be determined until later in September. But there are signals that are “not good,” Berset admitted.

He recalled that premiums followed the development of health care costs – and appealed to the policyholder’s cost discipline. At the same time, Berset showed understanding for the criticism of the ‘enrichment mentality’ of the health insurers, expressed in a video clip by policyholders from French-speaking Switzerland.

But what about this “enrichment”? Which fund pays the highest wages, which CEO registered the largest wage increase? The current annual reports of the health insurers provide information on this. At the top is Sanitas boss Andreas Schönenberger, who was compensated in 2022 with almost one million francs (956,486). Compared to the year 2017, that is an increase of 50 percent, so its predecessor only earned half five years ago.

Groupe Mutuel boss Thomas Boyer has also made significant gains: with an annual salary of CHF 783,348, he received CHF 286,000 more than his predecessor five years ago. The top earners, who are compensated with an annual salary of more than 700,000 francs, also include the heads of the health insurers Assura, Helsana, Swica and CSS – the latter has a boss with Philomena Colatrella as the only fund (see salary data in the table).

After all, some funds have reduced wages in the comparison period. It remains unclear whether this was done out of calculation in relation to the ongoing parliamentary debate. Assura boss Ruedi Bodenmann (about 11,000 francs less) and CSS boss Philomena Colatrella (about 19,000 francs less) earned less in any case – although their wages are still at a high level. The salary of Sympany boss Michael Willer has also fallen (17,000 francs less).

Helsana’s fortunes are also not visible in the table: the box office paid its director Roman Sonderegger a whopping 750,000 annual salary in 2022, more than 60,000 francs more than in 2017. The former boss Daniel Schmutz came in 2019, however, still about 820,000 frank.

Of course, the industry is not happy with the wage cap, because it could become a reality one day. Measured at the current managerial salary, then in all probability all treasuries would have to go through the books. (aargauerzeitung.ch)