Find a Partner Health Fund
How do I get a health insurance fund as a BGM partner?
Note: under German law. Formal GKV partner contracts usually require 50–100+ employees — rejections are normal. But Section 20b SGB V obligates funds to support workplace health promotion regardless, once you have a documented BGM process. BGF-Kompass delivers it.
Partner Health Fund vs. Section 20b SGB V: What's the Difference?
| Feature | Formal Partner GKV | Section 20b SGB V (Legal Entitlement) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum size | Usually 50–100+ employees | None — applies to every employer |
| Formal contract | Yes | No |
| Dedicated GKV contact | Yes | No — apply directly to the fund |
| Financial support | Yes | Yes (measures under the Prevention Guide) |
| Prerequisite | Negotiation + contract signing | Documented BGM process |
Why Do Health Funds Decline Small Businesses as BGM Partners?
Formal BGM cooperations (partner contracts) are resource-intensive for health funds: they send consultants, support surveys, coordinate measures, and pay subsidies. That effort is easier to justify for large companies with many GKV-insured employees.
The result: businesses with fewer than 50–100 employees are often declined for formal partner contracts, or get no response at all. That's frustrating — but not a real obstacle, since a partner contract isn't the only form of GKV support.
Section 20b SGB V: The Legal Entitlement Most People Don't Know About
Under German law, statutory health funds are obligated under Section 20b SGB V to support workplace health promotion — regardless of company size. The prerequisite isn't a partner contract, but a structured BGM process following the GKV Prevention Guide.
In other words: anyone who documents a needs assessment, measure planning, and impact evaluation in a structured way — the way BGF-Kompass does it — can discuss funding with their health fund on equal footing, even as a business with 15 employees.
- Needs assessment (employee survey on strains and resources)
- Prioritizing focus areas (physical activity, nutrition, stress management, addiction)
- Measure planning and implementation
- Impact evaluation and documentation
BGF Coordination Offices: The Underrated Resource for SMBs
Every German state has a BGF coordination office run by the health funds — a neutral, free initial consultation service that also supports small businesses and connects them with the right health fund. No partner contract, no minimum size required.
The coordination offices help structure the initial needs assessment and place the funding application with the appropriate GKV.
Step by Step: GKV Funding Without a Partner Contract
The fastest path to GKV support is a documented BGM process — not a partner contract:
- 1. Assess your BGF maturity level (3 min., free) — shows your current status
- 2. Conduct an employee survey (needs assessment via BGF-Kompass)
- 3. Contact the BGF coordination office in your state
- 4. Select ZPP-certified measures — the GKV covers course costs under Section 20 SGB V
- 5. Document the BGM process in BGF-Kompass → this is the basis for Section 20b funding
Related measures & topics
Key takeaways
- Formal partner GKV: usually only from 50–100+ employees — rejections are normal, not a mistake.
- Section 20b SGB V (German law): the funds are obligated to support BGF — a documented BGM process is your ticket to a conversation on equal footing.
- BGF coordination offices (in every German state) help SMBs free of charge with initial consultation and applications.
- BGF-Kompass delivers the documented BGM process that unlocks Section 20b funding — no minimum size required.
Frequently asked questions
No health fund will take me on as a BGM partner — what am I doing wrong?+
Probably nothing. Formal partner contracts are usually only granted by GKVs to companies with 50–100+ employees. That's not an obstacle, though: under Section 20b SGB V, the funds are obligated to support workplace health promotion — a structured, documented BGM process qualifies you for a conversation with your fund on equal footing. Also reach out to your state's BGF coordination office.
Is my company too small for a partner health fund?+
For a formal partner contract: probably, if you have fewer than 50–100 employees. For GKV funding under Section 20b SGB V: no — it applies to every employer with at least 1 employee who has a documented BGM process. BGF-Kompass delivers exactly that process.
What's the difference between a partner health fund and Section 20b SGB V?+
A partner health fund is a voluntary cooperation agreement in which the GKV actively advises and supports you. Section 20b SGB V is a statutory entitlement: any employer with a documented BGM process can apply for GKV funding — without a contract, without a minimum size. The difference lies in the scope of support, not in whether funding exists.
Which health funds support BGM at small companies?+
TK, BKK federations, and regional AOK funds often have their own BGF programs that also cover smaller businesses. The fastest path: contact the BGF coordination office in your state — they connect you free of charge with the right GKV contact.
Do I need to be insured with a specific health fund to get funding?+
No. Section 20b SGB V applies to all statutory health funds. Your employees are insured with various GKVs — each of these funds is obligated to provide support. The prerequisite is a documented BGM process, not a specific fund contract.
Document Your BGM Process — Unlock GKV Funding
BGF-Kompass delivers the structured BGM process under the GKV Prevention Guide that lays the groundwork for a funding conversation with your health fund under Section 20b SGB V — no formal partner contract, no minimum size required.
Sources
- Section 20b SGB V — Workplace Health Promotion ↗
- BGF Coordination Offices (GKV-Spitzenverband) ↗
- GKV Prevention Guide ↗
Last updated: 2026-06-19. Not legal or tax advice — have your specific case reviewed by a professional.