The cost of nursing aids for consumption, which can be found in product group 54 of the GKV’s list of aids, has risen in recent months due to the Corona pandemic. This means that a monthly flat rate of 40 euros is no longer sufficient to provide those in need of care in outpatient or inpatient facilities, as well as at home, with a care level of one or higher, with sufficient care according to their needs. For this reason, the German Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) has raised the monthly flat rate by 20 euros to 60 euros, retroactive to April 1, 2020. The Health Care and Long-Term Care Improvement Act (GPVG), which came into force this year, even make an extension possible until March 31 of this year, after two temporary extensions have already been granted so far.
The maximum amount currently provided for by law and raised is thereby subject to the Covid-19 Care Structures Protection Ordinance for certain nursing aids for consumption, which include absorbent bed liners, disposable gloves, disinfectants as well as mouth guards. If the person in need of care has to be temporarily admitted to a hospital or nursing home for a short period of time, the entitlement expires.
The application for the required care aids is submitted to the care insurance fund and approved; a prescription is not necessary. However, there may be quantity restrictions; this depends on the benefits catalogue of the corresponding health insurance company and the approval of the product range.
The lump-sum includes the remuneration of the service providers, who must specify the day on which the service is provided. In the case of reimbursement, the date of purchase is decisive.
Service providers must bill according to nursing aid item numbers, as each aid has its own ten-digit number with fixed prices and quantities. Flat-rate billing is not possible.
There are a few other important key points, which include the receipt of the care aids, also by pharmacies, with date and signature.
Source: Apotheke-Adhoc