The overview of long-term care insurance

Long-term care insurance is a central part of the German healthcare system. It supports people who need assistance in their daily lives. This can be due to illness, a disability, or old age. Many things that were once taken for granted can no longer be managed independently.

In such situations, long-term care insurance ensures that support is organized and paid for. It helps people remain as independent as possible despite needing care.

Security and relief in everyday life

Care often comes with high costs. At the same time, it places emotional and organizational strain on families. This is exactly where long-term care insurance provides support.

It covers part of the costs and ensures that necessary assistance is available. This relieves family members and provides security. Those affected do not have to deal with the situation alone.

Long-term care insurance does not always cover all costs. However, it significantly reduces the financial burden.

Who pays into long-term care insurance?

Long-term care insurance operates on the principle of solidarity. This means: everyone contributes so that support is available in the event of needing care.

If you work in Germany, your contributions are automatically deducted from your salary. Retirees also pay contributions.

This creates a system that protects everyone—regardless of whether and when someone needs care.

How is the need for care assessed?

When care becomes necessary, the first step is to apply to the long-term care insurance fund. The required level of support is then assessed.

For those with statutory health insurance, the Medical Service (Medizinischer Dienst) carries out this assessment. This person examines the individual's living situation in detail.

The assessment considers, for example:

• how independent someone still is
• whether assistance with personal hygiene is needed
• how well orientation in daily life functions
• whether support with household tasks is required

At the end, a care grade is determined. There are five care grades. Care grade 1 means little support is needed, while care grade 5 indicates a very high level of care required.

The higher the care grade, the more benefits are available.

Benefits of long-term care insurance

Long-term care insurance offers various types of support. These can be combined depending on the situation.

Care allowance:
If family members or friends provide care, a monthly cash benefit is available.

Care services:
A professional care service comes to the home and takes over tasks such as personal hygiene or medical assistance.

Assistive devices:
For example, care beds, wheelchairs, or other supportive equipment.

Home modifications:
Grants for modifications, such as a barrier-free bathroom or a stairlift.

Short-term care and respite care:
Temporary care when family caregivers need relief or are unavailable.

Residential care:
If care at home is no longer possible, long-term care insurance contributes to the costs of a nursing home.

Important: The benefits are fixed. If they are insufficient, those affected or their families must cover part of the costs themselves.

Support for family caregivers

Many people receive care at home from family members. This is often a major challenge.

That is why long-term care insurance offers targeted support:

• Advice
• Care courses for family caregivers
• Financial benefits
• Services to provide relief in daily life

The goal is to enable family caregivers to provide long-term care without becoming overwhelmed themselves.

Support and advisory services

You can contact long-term care insurance if you need care yourself. Similarly, you can reach out if you are caring for a family member and require support. This could include advice, financial assistance, or relief in daily life. It does not matter whether the need for care arises suddenly, for example after an accident, or develops gradually. The important thing is to contact them early and submit an application.

Long-term care insurance is closely linked to health insurance, often forming part of the health insurance system. It serves as the central point of contact for advice, applications, and benefits. Those with statutory health insurance are automatically enrolled in the social long-term care insurance scheme.

If you have questions, there are several points of contact available.

You can contact:

• your long-term care insurance fund
• your health insurance provider
• the consumer advice center