High additional payment for a place in a care home - Own contribution for nursing home care rises again in Saarland
Care-dependent people in Saarland have to pay an increasingly larger amount out of their own pockets for a nursing home place. On average, they paid 3,166 Euro per month to the first-year home as of July 1, which is 166 Euro more than the previous year, according to an analysis by the Association of Substitute Health Insurance Funds. Nationwide, this puts Saarland significantly above the average first-year nursing home cost of 2,871 Euro per month. This is 211 Euro more than in the middle of 2023.
The burden continues to grow despite relief contributions, which increase with the length of stay. The average relief contribution in Saarland was 2,104 Euro per month in the fourth year of the home, which is 81 Euro more than on July 1, 2023, according to the data provided to the German Press Agency.
More Than Just Care Costs
The sums include, among other things, the personal contribution for pure care and supervision. The nursing insurance only covers - unlike health insurance - a portion of the costs. Residents and tenants in nursing homes also incur costs for accommodation, food, and investments in the facilities. Training costs, which are also passed on by the nursing homes, were included in the July 1 analysis for the first time. This was also taken into account in the comparison with July 2023.
If their own assets and income, such as pensions, do not cover the costs for a place in a nursing home, the social welfare office steps in upon request under certain conditions. Benefits from the nursing insurance are received by those insured and for whom a care grade has been determined.
Since 2022, in addition to payments from the nursing insurance, there have been relief contributions that were increased as part of the coalition reform on January 1, 2024. The personal contribution for pure care will therefore be 15% instead of the previous 5% in the first year in the nursing home, 30% instead of 25% in the second year, 50% instead of 45% in the third year, and 75% instead of 70% from the fourth year. The reason for the increasing personal contribution is mainly higher personnel costs for caregivers.
The head of the Substitute Health Insurance Funds Association, Ulrike Elsner, said with regard to the rising personal contribution: "This is also due to the fact that the states are ignoring their responsibility." Alone the assumed takeover of investment costs by the states would relieve residents and tenants by an average of 490 Euro per month. It is also the responsibility of the state to cover training costs. This should be addressed in the context of the Pflegereform announced by Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD).
The analysis was based on contractual agreements between nursing insurance funds and nursing homes in all federal states. The Substitute Health Insurance Funds Association includes, among others, the Techniker Health Insurance, Barmer, and DAK Health.
Consumer Center Information on Care Costs
- Despite the additional relief contributions, care-dependent individuals in Saarland are required to make an own contribution of 3,166 Euro per month for a nursing home place, which is 166 Euro more than the previous year.
- The personal contribution for pure care and supervision is a significant part of the total costs in a nursing home, as nursing insurance only covers a portion, unlike health insurance.
- The German Press Agency reported that the average relief contribution in Saarland for the fourth year of a nursing home stay was 2,104 Euro per month, which is 81 Euro more than in July 2023.
- According to Ulrike Elsner, the head of the Substitute Health Insurance Funds Association, the rising personal contribution for care is in part due to the states ignoring their responsibility to cover investment costs and training expenses.
