Care recipients in nursing homes: payments increased despite higher relief allowances

For those in need of care in nursing homes, out-of-pocket payments have continued to rise in Saxony despite higher relief allowances. As of January 1, an average of 2381 euros per month was due out of pocket in the first year in the home - 197 euros more than at the beginning of 2023, according to an analysis by the Association of Substitute Health Insurance Funds. The personal contribution also increased nationwide. However, at 2576 euros per month on average, the costs were higher than in Bavaria. People in need of care in Saarland and Baden-Württemberg have to pay the most.

The relief surcharges, which increase with longer stays in care homes, were raised on January 1. With the highest supplement from the fourth year in the home, the additional payment has now risen to an average of 1540 euros per month. This was 96 euros more than on January 1, 2023, as the new data available to Deutsche Presse-Agentur shows.

On the one hand, the sums include the personal contribution for pure care and support. This is because care insurance - unlike health insurance - only covers part of the costs. For nursing home residents, there are also costs for accommodation, meals and investments in the facilities. Since 2022, there have been special relief supplements in addition to the payments from the long-term care insurance fund, which have just been increased as of January 1 with a reform by the Ampel coalition. The personal contribution for pure care is thus reduced by 15 instead of 5 percent in the first year in the home, in the second by 30 instead of 25 percent, in the third by 50 instead of 45 percent and from the fourth year by 75 instead of 70 percent.

The higher surcharges have now slowed down the rise in costs to a greater extent. However, according to the analysis, the personal contribution for pure care alone also continued to rise - without supplements, to an average of €1,401 per month as of January 1, which was €262 more than at the beginning of 2023. This is also due to higher personnel costs for urgently needed care staff.

According to the information provided, remuneration agreements between the care insurance funds and care homes in all federal states were analyzed. The data relates to residents with care grades 2 to 5.