Degrees of care replace care levels
The previous three care levels were replaced by five care grades in January 2017. They offer a more precise and comprehensive assessment of a patient’s abilities and impairments. Depending on the care level, a person in need of care receives varying degrees of support from the care insurance.
Anyone who was previously in a care level is automatically classified in a care grade. No one will be classified worse than before and will not have to fear any loss of benefits. On the contrary, most people in need of care will actually receive higher benefits in future.
Classification: What is assessed?
Specifically, the assessors evaluate the following six areas of life (“modules”) when classifying the level of care:
- Mobility (physical mobility): getting up in the morning, moving around the home, climbing stairs, etc.
- Mental and communicative abilities: Orientation about place and time, grasping facts, recognizing risks, understanding what others say, etc.
- Behavioral and psychological problems: restlessness at night, anxiety, aggression, resistance to care measures, etc.
- Independent handling of illness- or therapy-related demands and stresses and coping with them: Ability to take one’s medication alone, measure blood pressure or go to the doctor, etc.
- Organization of everyday life and social contacts: Ability to organize everyday life on one’s own, make direct contact with other people, etc.
The five care levels
| Care level 1 (total points: 12.5 to under 27) |
People in need of care in care grade 1 receive, among other things, care advice, advice in their own home, provision of aids and subsidies to improve the living environment (such as a stair lift or age-appropriate shower). There is also a relief amount (outpatient) of up to 125 euros per month. This is earmarked for a specific purpose and can be used, for example, for day or night care or short-term care. Anyone receiving full inpatient care can receive an allowance of up to 125 euros per month. |
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At care level 2, there is a significant impairment of independence and abilities. Those affected who are cared for at home are entitled to a monthly cash benefit (care allowance) of 316 euros or outpatient care benefits in kind of 724 euros per month. The earmarked relief amount (outpatient) is up to 125 euros per month. The benefit amount for inpatient care is 770 euros per month. |
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| Care level 3 (total points: from 47.5 to under 70) |
For this level of care, a cash benefit of 545 euros or a benefit in kind of 1,363 euros per month is provided for outpatient care. The earmarked relief amount (outpatient) is up to 125 euros per month. Those who receive inpatient care are entitled to a monthly benefit of 1,262 euros. |
| Care level 4 (total points: from 70 to under 90) |
Patients with care level 4 have the most severe impairment of independence and abilities. Inpatients are entitled to a benefit amount of 1,775 euros per month. |
| Care level 5 (total points: from 90 to 100) |
Care level 5 also involves the most severe impairment of independence and abilities, but there are also special requirements for nursing care. The monthly cash benefit (outpatient) is 901 euros, the benefit in kind (outpatient) is 2,095 euros and the earmarked relief amount (outpatient) is up to 125 euros. The benefit amount for inpatient care is 2,005 euros per month. |
In addition to these main benefit amounts, other benefits can also be applied for, such as respite care, short-term care, subsidies for care aids or for barrier-free home conversion.
Subsidy for nursing home costs
In order to relieve the financial burden on people in need of care, care levels 2 to 5 have been receiving a so-called “benefit supplement” since January 2022. They receive the money in addition to the care allowance and regardless of the care level. The amount of the supplement depends on the period in which the care services are received.
- 5 percent of the personal contribution to care costs within the first year in the care facility.
- 25 percent of your own share of the care costs if you have been in residential care for more than one year.
- 45 percent of their own share of the care costs if they live in the home for more than two years.
- 70 percent of their own share of the care costs if they are cared for in a nursing home for more than 36 months.
Short-term and respite care
If a family member providing care falls ill or wants to go on vacation, the care insurance pays for substitute care. This so-called respite care can be provided by an outpatient care service, volunteer carers or close relatives, for example. Long-term care insurance covers the costs of substitute care for a maximum of six weeks per calendar year and up to an amount of EUR 1,774.
Transitional care in hospital
Transitional care is usually provided in the hospital where the treatment took place. It is limited to ten days. Applications for transitional care are made via the hospital’s social services department or directly to the health insurance fund.
Partial inpatient care (day/night care)
Some people in need of care who would otherwise be cared for at home can spend part of the time in an appropriate facility – either at night (night care) or during the day (day care). This is intended to supplement or strengthen care at home.
Aids and home remodeling
Care insurance partially covers the costs of care aids. Technical aids such as care beds or wheelchairs are usually provided on loan or for an additional payment. For consumable products such as disposable gloves or bed pads, long-term care insurance can provide a monthly allowance of up to €40, regardless of the care level.
Care insurance can also contribute up to €4,000 per measure towards the costs of home modifications such as the installation of a stair lift.
