Despite increased surcharges - Own contributions for care recipients in nursing homes continue to rise
Despite increased supplements, the self-pay share for care-dependent individuals in Saxon nursing homes has risen. As of July 1st, the monthly cost from one's own pocket was 2,667 Euro - 172 Euro more than in the middle of 2023, according to an analysis by the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds. Starting from the fourth year, the self-payment on average increased to 1,644 Euro per month. That was 62 Euro more than on July 1, 2023, as the data shows, which was provided to the German Press Agency.
Saxony below the federal average
Thus, costs remained below the national average of 2,871 Euro (plus 211 Euro) in the first year and 1,865 Euro (plus 91 Euro) from the fourth year. The highest co-payment was in Baden-Württemberg (3,180 Euro respectively 1,982 Euro), the lowest in Saxony-Anhalt (2,373 Euro respectively 1,457 Euro).
The co-payment includes the contribution for pure care and caregiving. Since the long-term care insurance covers - unlike health insurance - only a part of the costs, additional costs for accommodation, food, and investments in the facilities apply for nursing home residents.
For the first time, training costs were included in the evaluation as of July 1st. These costs were also included in the comparison values for July 1, 2023, as explained.
Higher supplements since January
Since 2022, in addition to payments from the long-term care insurance, there have been relief supplements, which were increased as part of a reform of the traffic light coalition on January 1, 2024. The co-payment for pure care will therefore amount to 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 co-payment is mainly higher personnel costs for caregivers.
The analysis was based on compensation agreements between long-term care insurance funds and nursing homes in all federal states. The Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds includes approximately the Techniker Health Insurance, Barmer, and DAK Health.
- The self-pay share for people in need of care in Dresden's nursing homes, located in Saxony, Germany, has seen an increase, reaching 2,667 Euro per month as of July 1st, according to data from the German Press Agency.
- Despite higher supplements implemented since January, the co-payment for pure care in nursing homes in Saxony continues to be lower than the national average, standing at 2,667 Euro in the first year and 1,644 Euro from the fourth year.
- The German Press Agency reported that the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds, which includes institutions like Techniker Health Insurance, Barmer, and DAK Health, conducted an analysis revealing these developments in nursing home costs.
- With the introduction of relief supplements as part of the traffic light coalition's reform on January 1, 2024, the co-payment for caregiving in nursing homes across Germany will surcharge, leading to a 15% share in the first year, 30% in the second year, 50% in the third year, and 75% from the fourth year.
