Financial support for corporate health management (CHM) helps companies implement workplace health promotion measures in a cost-effective way. This article shows which funding opportunities are relevant for your company and which legal frameworks support your eligibility. You will learn how to access free consultations from health insurance providers, which funding options companies can use, and what to consider when planning health-promoting initiatives such as health challenges.
Financial support for corporate health management in different areas
Corporate Health Management (CHM) consists of three pillars: occupational health and safety, occupational integration management (OIM), and workplace health promotion (WHP). Depending on the area, different funding programmes and contact points apply. While occupational health and safety and OIM are statutory obligations, workplace health promotion is particularly supported by statutory health insurance providers.
| Area | Possible Contact Points |
| Occupational health and safety | Employers’ liability insurance associations, accident insurance funds, state occupational safety authorities |
| Occupational integration management (OIM) | Deutsche Rentenversicherung (German Pension Insurance), employers’ liability insurance associations, integration/inclusion offices, employment agencie |
| Workplace health promotion (WHP) | Statutory health insurance providers, WHP coordination office |
For occupational health and safety and occupational integration management, different funding and advisory structures apply than for workplace health promotion. Since funding here strongly depends on individual cases, we will focus below on the generally accessible funding opportunities within workplace health promotion.
How to obtain financial support for your corporate health management
In Germany, there is no blanket statutory funding for CHM. However, financial support is available for building health-promoting structures or implementing specific measures and consulting services. Depending on the measure, companies can access different funding options. The most important and nationwide support is provided by statutory health insurance providers within workplace health promotion. In addition, depending on the measure, funding programmes from the federal government, state governments, social insurance institutions, or the European Union may also be available.
Your contacts for financial support for CHM
The first step towards successfully obtaining ffinancial support for corporate health management is knowing the right contacts. This depends on the specific CHM area.
If the focus is on ergonomic workplaces, lifting aids, noise protection, risk assessments, or prevention consulting—topics primarily related to occupational health and safety—the responsible employers’ liability insurance association is your contact. For consulting services on accident prevention, accident insurance funds are also relevant.
If the focus is on occupational integration management measures such as workplace adaptations, technical aids, gradual return-to-work programmes, qualification measures, or rehabilitation services, the German Pension Insurance, employers’ liability insurance associations, or integration offices are the right contacts.
For funding in the area of workplace health promotion within corporate health management, the statutory health insurance provider is the primary contact, or alternatively the WHP coordination office in your federal state.
For those interested in government funding such as regional programmes or EU funds, individual consultation is recommended, as funding schemes and eligibility requirements change regularly. Initial contact points include Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK), Chambers of Crafts, regional economic development agencies, or specialised funding consultants.
Requirements for financial support for your CHM in WHP
Strict eligibility requirements are not necessary for workplace health promotion funding—neither company size nor number of employees plays a role. Under § 20b SGB statutory health insurance providers are obliged to offer workplace health promotion services and support companies in implementing them. However, this does not mean that every planned health initiative will automatically be approved.
To increase the likelihood of funding approval, the following should be considered:
- Early contact: Reach out to the workplace health promotion (WHP) contact person at the health insurance provider covering most employees. If this is unclear, contact the WHP coordination office. Measures that have already started are generally not eligible for retrospective funding.
- Quality criteria of the GKV Prevention Guidelines: Ensure compliance with the GKV Prevention Guidelines, which health insurers use to assess funding approval.
- Systematic workplace health promotion: Instead of isolated events, plan long-term health measures that have a sustainable positive impact on employee well-being.
- Needs analysis: You should demonstrate that the planned measures are tailored to the actual needs of the workforce. A prior needs assessment is therefore recommended and may itself be eligible for funding.
Indirect funding of CHM through tax advantages
Corporate Health Management Financial support can also be achieved through tax benefits. Under § 3 No. 34 of the German Income Tax Act (EStG), companies can fund workplace health promotion measures tax- and social security-free up to €600 per employee per year. The condition is that benefits are provided in addition to regular salary and meet legal quality standards. The requirements for eligible measures are defined in §§ 20 and 20b SGB V. If you are unsure whether a planned health measure qualifies for tax benefits, you can request a binding ruling from your local tax office, providing legal certainty before offering the benefit to employees.
Financial support for a challenge within CHM
Digital health challenges are becoming increasingly important in corporate health management. They motivate employees through gamification elements, team challenges, and real-time feedback to adopt more physical activity and healthier habits. Whether initiatives such as step challenges or cycling challenges are eligible for funding cannot be answered in general terms. Since funding depends not on a specific product but on the quality and objectives of the measure within the overall workplace health promotion concept, early coordination with the health insurance provider is recommended. For tax benefits, consultation with a tax advisor is also advisable. Innovative solutions such as the Changers Fit app can be a suitable component of a funded WHP programme within a comprehensive concept.
If you would like to learn more about integrating team challenges into workplace health promotion, you can find further information in another article.
Conclusion: financial support for corporate health management in your company
Financial suppoert for corporate health management in Germany is provided through various channels. While statutory health insurance providers primarily support workplace health promotion measures, different institutions are responsible for occupational health and safety and occupational integration management. In addition, tax advantages under § 3 No. 34 EStG can facilitate financing of health-promoting initiatives. Early coordination with health insurers, WHP coordination offices, or tax advisors significantly increases the chances of receiving financial support.
We are happy to answer your questions about how Changers Fit can support your company.
Feel free to contact us!
Daniela Schiffer
E-Mail: d.schiffer@changers.com
Telefon 0172 367 40 38
