The head of the AOK Federal Association, Carola Reimann, has voiced strong reservations regarding proposed changes to Germany’s long-term care system, specifically concerning potential benefit reductions and the introduction of mandatory supplemental insurance.
In an interview with “Tagesspiegel”, Reimann expressed concerns about the combination of recommending a supplemental insurance policy alongside the threat of cuts to existing care provisions. She highlighted that a mandatory supplemental insurance model would necessitate a parallel social compensation system, which would, in turn, require public funding through tax revenue.
The current proposed insurance model focuses primarily on covering co-payments within residential care facilities. Reimann argued that this limited scope would offer only a marginal improvement to overall financial security for elderly individuals.
Furthermore, Reimann cautioned against the implementation of a waiting period within the social care insurance system, during which individuals would not be eligible for benefits in their first year of needing care. She asserted that such a measure would fundamentally undermine the core promise of the insurance system. According to Reimann, a significant portion – roughly 20% – of individuals assessed as needing care unfortunately pass away within the first year, effectively requiring them to contribute financially without ever receiving any benefits.
