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Care in the Pandemic: These Special Corona Regulations Are Still Valid Until the End of the Year!
The consequences of the corona pandemic have particularly turned the world of care recipients and caregivers upside down. Care service providers were overwhelmed, fully booked, and perhaps even completely closed. Something had to change quickly, and the system needed to become more flexible. Therefore, some special coronavirus regulations were enacted in favor of the beneficiaries, which were intended to simplify processes in the short term and provide further support through financial subsidies. These regulations were originally only valid until the spring of 2021. Yet we still find ourselves in extraordinary situations. Therefore, these regulations concerning the "epidemic situation of national significance" and their extension were voted on again. The result: a clear majority voted in favor of the extension.
To help you maintain an overview in the jungle of corona regulations, here are the current resolutions on the situation:
€60 care aids: now anchored in § 40 SGB XI care aids.
The increase of care aid funds from €40 to €60 was repeatedly extended. Now, the allowance of €60 has been permanently approved and paragraph 40 SGB XI has been amended long-term – at least until the end of 2021.
MD assessment without home visit: digital determination of need for care according to § 147 para. 1 sentence 1 SGB XI.
Since March 2021, home visits by the medical service have also been taking place again at the respective individuals' homes on-site. However, the deadline has now been extended to enable the determination of the need for care without an on-site visit. This is intended to continue preventing the risk of infection with the coronavirus. Until December 31, an application can be submitted for a digital assessment or an MDK report. The classification would then be made based on the records or a telephone conversation.
Special regulations for relief amount PG 1: €125 can also be used for other services.
People in need of care with care level 1 receive the monthly relief amount of €125 according to § 45b SGB XI. This amount can still be used until December 31 for assistance that is not recognized under the current state legal requirements. This allows other supply bottlenecks to be offset. For example, the financial resources can be used for household-related services to provide relief here.
Remaining balance on the relief amount:
Funds from 2019 and 2020 may also be used. Do you have unused contributions for relief services from the years 2019 and 2020? These can still be used until December 31, 2021. It does not matter which care level is involved.
Consultation according to § 37 SGB XI: still possible by phone or digitally.
In terms of the semi-annual or quarterly mandatory consultation for long-term care allowance recipients who do not use a care service, the deadline allowing for phone or digital consultation via video telephony has been extended. This option remains voluntary. Anyone who prefers in-person consultation can still choose this option. The regulation is valid until December 31, 2021.
Provision of in-kind services: simplified billing in case of radius expansion.
Even before the corona regulations, certain benefits in kind could only be provided by certain service providers—for example, by the responsible nursing staff. If this is not possible due to a lack of time or other reasons, those benefits in kind can still be provided by others until September 30 and then easily settled as usual. Approval according to SGB XI is not necessary. For example, other care services or volunteer neighbors are also suitable for providing these benefits in kind.
Relief for Family Caregivers:
If there was a sudden care situation in one's own family, employed workers could take up to 10 days off work. During the Corona period, when many care service providers were already overburdened, fully booked, or closed, the care support allowance was doubled to 20 days. This regulation will now be extended until December 31.
Attention: There are further flexibilities in the Care Time Act and Family Care Time Act, especially for caregiving relatives. If you have provided home care as a caregiver in the past, or if you need more care time in the future, be sure to contact a relevant advisory center to learn about your options. Retroactive reimbursements of wage replacement or extended care times in coordination with the employer may be possible.
Want more clarity? We are happy to help!
Are you a caregiver for family members? Or maybe you are receiving care services yourself? If you need help navigating the COVID care jungle, feel free to contact us by phone or email.
by Jana Lorenz
