Which conversion costs or nursing aids are funded by health insurance or long-term insurance funds?

In some situations, health insurance or long-term care insurance funds bear the costs for age-appropriate home conversions and for certain nursing aids. ‡‡

  • If they are prescribed by a doctor, the costs of items such as a bath lift, a nursing bed or sanitary products are borne by health insurance funds. If you are classified as being in need of longterm care under the provisions of the Long-Term Care Insurance Act, the long-term care insurance fund may, under certain circumstances, pay for technical aids such as walking aids, a nursing bed or a home alert system and also for structural alterations. Grants are likewise possible for adapting furniture and even to cover the costs of moving to more suitable accommodation.
  • The long-term care insurance fund can grant a subsidy of up to €4,000 for home alterations that facilitate or permit home-based care. An application for the subsidy together with a cost estimate for the work required must be submitted to the long-term care insurance fund before the work begins. It’s best to contact the long-term care insurance fund in good time to find out if this kind of funding is available in your specific case.

If you are eligible for income support, you may, under certain circumstances, be able to get financial assistance for home alterations from the Social Services Office (Sozialamt). You can only receive these benefits, however, if you do not meet the eligibility criteria for other funding providers.

Tip:

You can obtain more detailed information from the Federal Ministry of Health at +49 (0)30 34060-6602

or online at https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/en/index.html