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More money and support for caregiving relatives? That's what the care reform brings.
After a long struggle, a care reform has now been passed. The law is intended to bring improvements for those in need of care and caregivers. But what does the new Care Support and Relief Act (PUEG) really bring? Care expert Markus Oppel provides insight.
A higher care allowance, more support services, less bureaucracy... – the list of demands from family caregivers is long. Studies have been showing the high burden on caregivers for years. Does the nursing reform now bring support and relief? What is included in the new Care Support and Relief Act?
The reform is going in the right direction, but it's only a baby step towards more support," says care consultant Markus Oppel from Buchbrunn. He has been advising people in need of care and their families for many years and is himself a caregiving relative.
An overview of the most important changes for family caregivers:
More Money: Care Allowance
The government announced that the care allowance will be increased. "It was urgently needed. The last increase was in 2017, and since then, the cost of living has risen enormously," explains Markus Oppel. As of January 1, 2024, five percent more care allowance will be paid. Depending on the care level, those in need of care will then receive between 331.80 euros (for care level 2) and 946.05 euros (for care level 5).
Care allowance is not a benefit for relatives," reminds Oppel. The long-term care insurance pays the benefit to those in need of care from care level 2, who live at home and do not use outpatient services. They can freely decide what to use the money for, such as care by relatives or volunteers.
More Money: Care Services
Starting January 1, 2024, the amount of care benefits will also increase by five percent. This money is available to people in need of care who live at home and use a care service. The money is not paid out but directly settled. People in need of care will then be entitled to between 760.20 euros (for care level 2) and 2,199.75 euros (for care level 5). “This is an improvement; however, the costs of care services have been rising for years and these are passed on to the customers. The increased care benefits will likely be eaten up by the additional costs, and in the end, the people in need of care will pay more," says Markus Oppel.
Important: It is planned that the two benefits – care allowance and benefits in kind – will be regularly increased: by 4.5 percent on January 1, 2025, and on January 1, 2028, in line with the inflation rate of the previous three years. From then on, they are to be increased every three years.
Flexible use of relief services: the joint annual amount
For years, experts and relatives have been demanding that relief offers should be more flexible to use. With the nursing care reform, the Joint Annual Allowance has now been decided. "Finally, this is coming and is really helpful," says Markus Oppel. Until now, there have been two budgets: short-term care and respite care, which can partially be transferred to one another.
In the future, both services will be bundled and available as a Combined Annual Amount. Two advantages:
- Caregivers have more money available to use for temporary relief.
- The six-month pre-care period is no longer required. This means: As soon as care level 2 is determined, respite care can be used immediately.
In total, people in need of care can use an amount of 3539 euros starting from care level 2 if family members are unable to take over the care (for example, due to illness, doctor's visits, employment, vacation). This can be on an hourly, daily, or even weekly basis. "This also brings bureaucratic relief," hopes famPLUS expert Oppel.
The joint annual amount applies from July 1, 2025. Exception: Parents with children in need of care under 25 years of age who have care level 4 or 5 can use a joint annual amount of 3,386 euros from January 1, 2024 (from July 1, 2025, then also the budget of 3,539 euros). "For these approximately 50,000 eligible people in Germany, this is very helpful. There are virtually no short-term care places for children and adolescents in need of care. With the annual amount, they are entitled to more money for hourly care, which is often the only option for this age group," explains Markus Oppel. The hourly care by nursing services or volunteers is an important support for mothers and fathers and enables better compatibility of work and caregiving.
Support in Acute Situations: Care Support Allowance
If a family member suddenly becomes in need of care or if the care situation changes, quick organization and action are often necessary. For employed caregivers, this is often a challenge. Until now, they could take a one-time short-term leave from work for up to ten days per person in need of care. Starting January 1, 2024, employees can use this benefit every year: in case of an acute emergency in home care, they can take leave for up to ten days for caregiving. The employer cannot refuse this, but may require proof (such as a certificate).
According to experience, this service is hardly used," says Markus Oppel. "The problem is partly the associated bureaucracy. Although you can apply for the time off at short notice from your employer, to receive the care support money from the care fund, a medical certificate of the need for care is required," explains the expert. Furthermore, the support money is often lower than the wage. "The amount of care support money is individually calculated and depends on earnings. On average, employees receive between 40 and 70 percent of the gross wage," says Markus Oppel.
“For many caregiving relatives, it doesn't add up,” says the famPLUS expert. He advises discussing with the employer. “Nowadays, many employers are open and support caregiving relatives with unbureaucratic solutions, so that there are no salary losses, such as special leave or crediting of overtime.” Markus Oppel recommends getting well informed in care counseling and having the benefit calculated in advance.
More Relief: Higher Allowances for Nursing Home Residents
When the relative moves into a nursing home, it is often associated with high costs. The nursing care insurance covers only part of the care costs. The costs for accommodation, meals, and investment expenses must be paid by oneself. Currently, the rule is: The longer a person lives in a home, the higher the surcharge for this own contribution.
As of January 1, 2024, the relief surcharges will be increased. The following surcharges will then apply:
- In the first year: 15 percent (instead of the previous 5 percent)
- In the second year: 30 percent (previously 25 percent)
- In the third year: 50 percent (instead of the previous 45 percent)
- from the fourth year: 75 percent (instead of the previous 70 percent)
Better Informed: Information and Transparency Regulations
For those in need of care and their family caregivers, it is often difficult to keep track of the care services they use. The care reform stipulates that people in need of care and their caregivers be transparently informed about the amount of benefits billed and how much is still available to them. Starting January 1, 2024, they should be able to receive an overview every six months. "This will alleviate many concerns and can help in accepting support offers," says Oppel.
The Care Reform: New Contributions
This reform is associated with an increase in contributions. As of July 1, 2023, the contribution rate for long-term care insurance will be increased by 0.35 percentage points. However, the new contributions will be differentiated according to the number of children (only children under 25 years are considered). In the future, the following applies:
- Childless insured persons pay a contribution of 4.0 percent
- Members with one child pay 3.4 percent
- Policyholders with multiple children receive a discount of 0.25 percentage points for each child from the second to the fifth child.
- Here you can find more detailed information about it https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/ministerium/gesetze-und-verordnungen/guv-20-lp/pueg/beitragsdifferenzierung-nach-kinderzahl.html
Care Reform – What Now?
The care reform has been criticized from many sides. "The reform is still far from a real improvement," says Verena Bentele, President of the Social Association VdK. Care expert Markus Oppel also says: "We need a bigger leap and a change in structures so that those in need of care and their relatives receive the support they actually need.
This includes comprehensive and outreach caregiving counseling, financial compensation for caregiving relatives, or an online portal with information on available spots in nursing homes or daycare centers throughout Germany. In addition, more offers of places in nursing homes, day care, short-term care, and night care are needed.
Author:
Peggy Elfmann
Sources:
https://www.bundestag.de/dokumente/textarchiv/2023/kw21-de-pflegeentlastung-freitag-947958
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https://www.pflege.de/pflegegesetz-pflegerecht/pflegeunterstuetzungsgesetz-pflegeentlastungsgesetz/
Conversation with Markus Oppel, 06/23/2023
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