/image alliance, Bodo Schackow
Berlin – In view of the increasing financial burden on those in need of care and their families, Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach is considering a cap on the share of the costs they have to pay themselves.
“We have to get to the point where we perhaps work with a maximum limit for personal contributions. We are currently investigating this,” said the SPD politician. DRA-Capital Studio.
It is also examining how the investment costs could be borne more by the states. “States are not doing enough. That falls on the insured and those who need care,” Lauterbach said.
Despite cost constraints, according to an assessment by the Association of Substitute Insurance Funds (vdek) the own contribution continues. As of July 1, a national average of 2,871 euros per month was due out of pocket in the first year at home – that is, 211 euros more than in mid-2023.
The reasons for the higher costs are rising energy and food costs as well as higher salaries for nursing staff. The burden is also increased by the increase in relief surcharges, which depend on the length of stay in the home. Calls for further relief before the 2025 federal election are growing louder.
Lauterbach also pointed out that personal contributions decrease if people in need of care have to be cared for inpatiently for several years. “But then there is still a lot left over,” said the health minister.
“For new people in need of care, some of whom have only lived in care for one or two years, this is obviously a great burden. We will present a regulation in the autumn,” Lauterbach said. The minister did not say how high the personal contribution ceiling should be, in his opinion.
The PKV Association attaches little importance to the maximum limits for personal contributions. These would be “an invaluable social policy with a sprinkler”, said Florian Reuther, director of the Private Health Insurance Association. They came about at the expense of taxpayers and payers, and above all at the expense of younger people, while people with private wealth also benefited from them.
“Almost 70 percent of retired households can afford a place in a nursing home for several years based on their income and assets. For everyone else, social assistance provides targeted support based on needs,” says Reuther. © dpa/may/aerzteblatt.de