Hello @twilight_ and welcome back to Wefugees!
That sounds complicated. I had to do a bit of research myself first and found some info that might be interesting. The GGUA (a very well-established organisation that is very knowledgeable in this area) writes the following about your situation here:
"On 10 March 2022, the Federal Social Court ruled that an ‘obligatory follow-up insurance’ (Obligatorische Anschlussversicherung) in accordance with §188 Para. 4 SGB V also arises for persons entitled to basic benefits in accordance with §3 and 4 AsylbLG if they were previously covered by statutory insurance or family insurance due to work, for example (BSG, ruling of 22 March 2022; B 1 KR 30/20 R). This is particularly relevant if people entitled to basic benefits under the AsylbLG became members of the statutory health insurance fund due to employment subject to compulsory insurance: After losing their job, they do not fall back into the unconstitutional system of emergency medicine under Section 4 AsylbLG, but remain a mandatory member of the health insurance fund.
However, contributions are then due and must be paid monthly. In practice, there are reports that the social welfare offices refuse to cover the costs of the contributions - arguing that there is no legal basis for this. Those affected would then simply have to accumulate debts to the health insurance fund, but would still be entitled to emergency treatment - but this emergency treatment is also sufficient for those entitled to AsylbLG. [...]
This argument is as cynical as it is unlawful: we are convinced that the social welfare office is entitled to take over contributions in accordance with §6 AsylbLG, as this is ‘essential to safeguard health’.
For these reasons, the refusal to pay health insurance (SHI) contributions should by no means be accepted. These should be expressly applied for at the social welfare office and, if refused, enforced with an objection, legal action and, if necessary, an urgent application to the social court. A colleague who specialises in everything to do with health services has formulated a sample application for this, which can also be used as an objection with a little reworking."
I read here, that it might be different if you are receiving the so-called "Analogleistungen" according to §2 AsylbLG, as a fairly good level of medical care is also guaranteed within its framework - is this the case?
In general, these problems with the social welfare office are particularly prevalent in Thuringia and Baden-Württemberg according to GGUA. Maybe you can contact the Caritas in Waldshut again with this particular information to ask for their experience and support.
@mbeon-Éanna, I would be very glad if you could share your expertise and experience at this point as well! Thank you very much in advance.
All the best,
Meike