Anyone who submits an application for a degree of care is often classified too low. It is worthwhile to avoid typical mistakes and, in case of doubt, to file an objection.
Frankfurt – About five million Germans are in need of care and have a degree of care. However, this is often classified too low, as explained by social associations. "In case of doubt, you should always file an objection," emphasizes Madeleine Viol of VdK Germany in an interview with IPPEN. MEDIA.
In May, the minimum wage for nursing professions rises to at least 13.90 euros. (Symbolic image) © Bonninstudio/Imago
Application for care level: Five million Germans are in need of care, number is rising steadily
The number of people in need of care in Germany has been increasing steadily in recent years. According to the business statistics of the long-term care insurance funds and the private compulsory long-term care insurance, there were still 1999.2 million people in need of care in December 02. Currently, there are already around five million people who take advantage of long-term care insurance benefits every month, a wide variety of benefits, such as those offered in Frankfurt as options for care.
Applying for a degree of care – assessments often with misjudgements
In order to obtain a degree of care, an appropriate application must be submitted. The applicant will then receive a form that should be filled out carefully.
The classification into care levels in the event of a need for care in old age is then based on an expert opinion, especially in the case of initial applications. This is done by a home visit by an employee of the medical service, usually a doctor or nurse. To apply for care aids, at least care level 2 is required. In 2020 alone, more than 2.3 million such care assessments were carried out, as figures from the Federation of Care Insurance Funds show.
The degree of care is often classified too low – this is how you avoid the typical mistakes
In order to be well prepared for the care assessment and to avoid mistakes, the VdK recommends giving truthful answers and not exaggerating or glossing over anything. It is helpful to take notes beforehand to address all the aspects that complicate everyday life. In addition, the following documents should be complete and ready to hand for visiting the Medical Service:
- List of all required aids (such as walker, walking stick, hearing aid)
- List of all required care aids (such as nursing bed, home emergency call, bed protectors)
- List of regular treatments
- Up-to-date hospital and medical reports
- Notices and expert opinions (such as the severely disabled person's notice)
- Medication and medication plan
- Care diary (if available)
- Care documentation of the nursing service (if available)
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Rejected application or too low level of care – social associations advise to object
But even those who are well prepared can experience a nasty surprise: "Unfortunately, there are often misjudgments during care assessments," explains Madeleine Viol. "If a degree of care or an upgrade is rejected, you don't have to accept that," emphasizes the expert from the VdK. It is even quite common for applications to be rejected even though they should actually be approved. For this reason, the VdK, which demanded a minimum wage of 14 euros in the fight against poverty in old age, recommends objecting in case of doubt.
Too low a level of care classification – every second objection successful
"It's worth it in most cases. In the case of the contradictions we accompany, about 50 percent are successful," says Viol. In Lower Saxony, the success rate is as high as 60 percent. The objection should be submitted to the long-term care insurance fund by registered mail or fax by the person concerned or an authorised person within four weeks of the rejection notice. The letter may be short and informal, but should include an appropriate justification.
Lodging an objection to the degree of care or a rejected application: this is how it works
- The decision on your application for long-term care benefits will be communicated to you by the long-term care insurance fund in a letter.
- If you consider the decision of the long-term care insurance fund to be wrong, it is best to file an objection within four weeks.
- If the objection does not bring the desired result, you can file a complaint with the Social Court. There are usually no court fees there.
- For the written objection, the consumer advice center offers free sample letters.
Objection to the long-term care insurance fund: Up to four years retrospectively possible
It is important to know that even after this deadline, not all options have been exhausted. "If you involve a lawyer or the social association, a case can even be examined retrospectively for up to four years," advises Viol.
