Introduction
At present, the Austrian social security system comprises 21
insurance carriers:
- one local health insurer for each of
Austria's nine provinces;
- five company insurers;
- the railroad and mine worker
insurer;
- the public officer insurer;
- the notary insurer;
- the farmer insurer;
- the self-employed insurer;
- the general insurer for occupational
accidents; and
- the employee pension fund.
These 21 insurers are coordinated by the Main Association of
Social Insurance Carriers and governed by the principle of
self-administration. The various management and supervisory bodies
are comprised of representatives of the insured. Employer
representatives, who must also pay contributions, are nominated by
the Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber of Employees nominates:
