Home Nursing Care: Who Qualifies and What You Get
Learn how to access professional nursing services at home for recovery after surgery or managing a chronic illness in Germany.
This scheme provides professional nursing services to help people receive medical care within their own homes.
Who it's for
This support is intended for patients who require professional nursing assistance to manage their health while living at home. Specifically, it is designed for individuals who need specialized care following a surgery or those who are managing a long-term chronic illness. This ensures that people can receive the necessary medical attention they need without having to remain in a hospital setting.
What you get
The primary benefit of this scheme is coverage for professional nursing services. This means that instead of managing difficult medical tasks alone, you can receive help from trained professionals who come to your home to provide care. This assistance is designed to support the patient's health and recovery through professional medical oversight within a domestic environment.
What it costs you
There is no direct fee listed for the services themselves, but the process requires your time and involvement. To access these benefits, you must first visit a doctor to undergo an assessment of your medical needs. The administrative requirement involves obtaining a formal medical prescription (Verordnung) from your healthcare provider, which serves as the necessary document to trigger the coverage.
The catch to know
The most important thing to understand is that this care is not automatic. You cannot simply request nursing services through your insurance company on your own; you must have a specific prescription issued by a doctor. Without this official medical document, the insurance provider will not cover the cost of the professional nursing services.
How to apply
- Speak with your doctor to discuss your medical situation and your need for assistance at home.
- Request that your doctor issues a formal medical prescription (Verordnung) for nursing care.
- Contact your health insurance provider (Krankenkasse) to submit your prescription and discuss the next steps for arranging a professional care service (Pflegedienst).