What services are covered by long-term care insurance?
July 8, 2022 | 50,00 EUR | answered by Friedhelm Schröter
Dear lawyer specializing in social insurance law,
My name is Yvonne Krause and I have a question regarding the benefits of long-term care insurance. My mother recently became in need of care and as a family, we are facing the challenge of ensuring the best possible care for her. Unfortunately, we are unsure about the specific benefits covered by long-term care insurance and how we can access them.
Currently, my mother is being cared for at home by me and my siblings. However, we are all working professionals and are slowly reaching our limits. We are considering whether it is possible to hire professional caregivers or seek assistance from an outpatient care service. However, we are unsure if the costs for this will be covered by long-term care insurance.
Therefore, my question to you is: What specific benefits does long-term care insurance cover and under what conditions can we as a family access these benefits? Are there also financial support options to make home care easier? We want to ensure that my mother receives the best possible care while also reducing our own burden.
Thank you in advance for your assistance and advice.
Sincerely,
Yvonne Krause
Dear Mrs. Krause,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the benefits of long-term care insurance. It is understandable that as a family, you are faced with the challenge of ensuring the best possible care for your mother in need of care. I am happy to explain to you the specific benefits of long-term care insurance and under what conditions you can access them.
Long-term care insurance benefits are legally regulated in Germany and serve to provide financial support to individuals in need of care. Generally, long-term care insurance benefits include three care levels (since 2017 five care grades), which provide different benefits depending on the degree of care dependency. Benefits include coverage for home care services, day and night care, short-term care, as well as care aids and technical aids.
If your mother is being cared for at home by you and your siblings and you are reaching your limits, it is possible to seek the assistance of professional caregivers or a home care service. The costs for this can be covered by long-term care insurance, provided that your mother is assessed as in need of care and the benefits meet the requirements of the care grades. It is advisable to contact the responsible long-term care insurance fund and submit an application for benefits. They will assess which benefits your mother is entitled to and to what extent they can be utilized.
Furthermore, there are also financial support options to facilitate home care. These include, for example, care allowance, relief services for family caregivers, and subsidies for structural modifications to make the living space barrier-free.
I recommend reaching out to a specialized lawyer in social security law or the responsible long-term care insurance fund for individual advice and support. Together, you can ensure that your mother receives the best possible care and reduce your own burden.
I hope my explanation has been helpful to you. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Best regards,
Friedhelm Schröter
