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In Germany, health insurance can provide financial support for household helpers in specific cases of temporary incapacity due to an accident, surgery, or severe acute illness. However, it's essential to understand that health insurance typically does not directly finance regular household help.
When a family member becomes unable to care for children or perform household duties due to an accident or illness, long-term care insurance (Pflegeversicherung) might cover part of the costs for home care services or hired help. To qualify, the affected individual must be assessed and classified into a care level ("Pflegegrad") by the medical service of the health insurance provider. This assessment evaluates how severely their ability to manage everyday tasks, including childcare and household work, is impaired.
Once classified at a sufficient care level, the insurance will provide care allowances and/or cover home care services, which may include professional caregivers or financing a household helper expected to help with childcare and housework. It's important to note that the household helper should be necessary due to the inability of the insured or family member to care for the household, and the insurance usually covers only costs justified as medically necessary or within care guidelines.
The household helper takes over tasks such as cooking, washing, ironing, cleaning, childcare, and running errands, but does not perform nursing or medical tasks. The health insurance company pays for a household helper for up to 26 weeks, with patients over 18 years old paying 10% of the cost per day.
In addition, social services offer assistance to continue running the household when a parent is unable to do so. The youth office may provide a household helper or other temporary assistance for a child under the age of 14 if the parent is unable to care for them due to health or other compelling reasons.
To summarize, health insurance in Germany can finance household helper costs only insofar as they are part of medically necessary home care services for a person assessed with care needs (Pflegegrad). For more detailed information on eligibility and application procedures, it is advisable to contact the relevant Krankenkasse (health insurance provider) or Pflegestützpunkt (care advice center).
[1] Health Insurance Funding for Household Helpers in Germany
[2] Long-term Care Insurance and Household Helpers in Germany
[3] German Health Insurance Coverage for Household Helpers
[4] Social Benefits and Household Helpers in Germany
[5] Finding a Household Helper in Germany with Health Insurance Support
[1] In specific cases of temporary incapacity resulting from an accident, surgery, or severe acute illness, German health insurance may provide financial support for household helpers.
[2] When a family member's ability to care for children or perform household duties is impaired due to a medical condition or chronic diseases, long-term care insurance might cover part of the costs for home care services or a household helper.
[3] For household helpers to be funded under health or long-term care insurance, their services must be deemed medically necessary or within care guidelines, such as cooking, washing, and running errands.
[4] Social services in Germany may offer assistance to help continue running a household when a parent is unable to do so, providing a household helper or temporary aid for children under 14 years old.
[5] To access these resources and understand eligibility requirements, it is important to contact the relevant health insurance provider or care advice center in Germany.
[6] In the context of family health and wellness, understanding the roles of chronic conditions, mental health, parenting, fitness, and exercise, along with health insurance support, can contribute to overall cardiovascular health and overall family well-being.
