Care Aids
Home care poses significant challenges for those affected and their families. However, so-called care aids can help ease their burden. A distinction is made between technical and non-technical care aids. Examples of assistive devices include a nursing bed or a home emergency call system. Non-technical care supplies are consumables, such as disposable gloves. Care aids and assistive devices are part of home care and are covered by long-term care insurance for individuals with a care level designation.
Note: Resources
Certain medical aids fall under the jurisdiction of health insurance companies and are prescribed by a doctor. Their purpose is to prevent or compensate for disabilities (e.g., hearing aids) or to ensure the success of a previous treatment (e.g., a walker after surgery). Long-term care aids and assistive devices fall under the jurisdiction of long-term care insurance. They are designed to alleviate and relieve symptoms and to enable people to live as independently as possible.
Care aids are a separate benefit, in addition to care allowances, in-kind care benefits, or combined benefits.
You can find the complete list of medical aids here on the website of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds. This list includes all medical devices and nursing aids covered by health and long-term care insurance plans. You can search here to see what types of care aids are available.
Examples of care aids include:
- Nursing Beds and Accessories
- Bed Protectors, Urine Bottles
- Home Emergency Call Systems
- Storage Materials
- Disposable gloves, disinfectant
Applications for long-term care aids are submitted directly to the long-term care insurance fund. Once the claim is approved, the insured person receives the benefit directly from a so-called service provider (e.g., a medical supply store, but also online providers). This person will then bill the long-term care insurance provider directly.
Note on the Loan
Some assistive devices are provided on loan by the long-term care insurance fund. When devices are provided on loan, no copayment is required, but a rental fee may apply. The long-term care insurance fund reimburses up to 42 € per month for consumable supplies .
When it comes to coverage, a distinction is made between assistive devices with a fixed reimbursement amount and those without. The fixed amount is the maximum amount that the long-term care insurance fund will reimburse. If the selected assistive device exceeds this fixed amount—for example, in the case of a higher-end rollator—you will have to pay the difference yourself.
Measures to Improve the Living Environment
All individuals in need of care who have been assigned a care level—including Care Level 1— are entitled to measures that improve their living environment with regard to their care needs. These include, for example, widening doorways, installing ramps, installing a stairlift, and adapting a bathroom to make it more accessible for those needing care.
Upon application, the long-term care insurance fund pays up to €4,180 as a subsidy for modifications that make home care easier or make it possible in the first place, promote independence, and thus may reduce the need for personal assistance. If several people in need of care live together, a higher subsidy of up to €16,720 can be requested.
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