Navigating the Relief Budget: A Breather for Caregivers - Changes Starting July 1st
Granted Leave for Caregivers: Effective From July 1st
Mind the capes, folks! When it's time for caregivers to take a break, superheroes step in. Short-term care and respite care, two fantastic services offered by health insurance, make this happen. But, get ready for some changes starting July 1st!
Did you know? Approximately 5.7 million people in Germany need care, and the majority are cared for at home by relatives, as per the Federal Statistical Office. It's a Herculean task, physically and mentally exhausting. What if caregivers themselves fall ill or need a break? Two funds provided by care insurance step onto the scene: short-term care and respite care.
Short Term and Respite Care, The Superhero Duo
Only when a care level of 2 is reached can these superpowers be utilized. Let's take a gander at what they do:
Short-term care means the person in need moves into a nursing home. Up till now, the fund allowed up to €1854 per calendar year for up to 8 weeks. On the other hand, respite care allows another individual to step in at home. This could be a home nursing service, neighbor, or relative. The fund was up to €1685 per calendar year for up to 6 weeks. Respite care can even be claimed hourly - perfect for a movie night or a hair appointment!
Changes Galore Starting July 1st
These super funds are merging starting July 1st, allowing people in need of care to receive up to €3539 per calendar year. Verena Querling, nursing rights expert at the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Center, jumps in, saying, "Combining the services into a joint annual amount makes it easier to use the services."
Short-Term and Respite Care: Superpowers Combined
Here's a rundown on how the combined funds will work:
- Duration: The maximum duration per calendar year increases from 6 to 8 weeks, aligning with the short-term care duration.
- Elimination of the pre-care period: In the past, a family member had to have cared for the person in need for at least 6 months before any money could flow from respite care. Now, the claim exists "immediately upon the presence of at least care level 2", according to the Federal Ministry of Health.
- Increase in reimbursement for close relatives: Up to double the care allowance will be reimbursed to close relatives who provide respite care, but don't do so professionally. For care level 3, this would be up to €1198. Previously, the amount was up to 1.5 times the care allowance.
- Split funding: While respite or short-term care is being claimed, the health insurance company continues to pay half of the care allowance.
What If I Have Already Used Some Services This Year?
Any part of the claim for respite and short-term care already used before July 1st will be deducted from the total budget of €3539. The remaining amount can still be utilized this year.
Apply for Superheroes
Short-term and respite care must still be applied for by the person in need of care, with family members offering support. If a power of attorney is in place, they can also submit the application. This can also be done online with the respective health insurance company.
Planning a Break for Superheroes
For caring family members to recharge, it’s advised to apply for the services in advance when planning a break for clarity about financing. Unexpected illnesses may arise, though; costs can then be claimed retroactively with all receipts on hand.
Finding a Trained Sidekick
Even with money from the health insurance company to organize a replacement, it isn't always a walk in the park to find one. Stiftung Warentest reports that places in short-term care and free capacities of replacement care providers are often scarce in many places. To increase chances, contact a care advisory service for local offers and activate the private network to broaden possibilities.
Source: ntv.de, Ricarda Dieckmann, dpa
- Care system
- Family
- Job
- Employer
- Employee
- Short-term care
- Respite care
- Health insurance
- Government reforms
- To alleviate the physical and mental strain of caregiving, certain government reforms have merged the short-term care and respite care funds, offering up to €3539 per calendar year.
- These merged funds will allow care recipients to receive extended care services, increasing the maximum duration per calendar year from 6 to 8 weeks, as per the combined arrangement.
- In addition, the new arrangement eliminates the pre-care period, enabling families to claim respite care immediately upon the presence of at least care level 2, as stated by the Federal Ministry of Health.
- Furthermore, close relatives providing respite care without a professional background will receive an increased reimbursement, up to double the care allowance for care level 3.
