2013 Volume 24 Issue E2 Pages 51-73
This paper describes social long-term care insurance (SLTCI) in Germany. Following a short review of the history of long-term care organization and preceding laws in Germany, the implementation of SLTCI as a separate and self-sustaining pillar within the system of social insurances in Germany is presented, with detailed descriptions of eligibility criteria, service provision, and financing. Since SLTCI is a universal, contribution-financed insurance, the aging of society and corresponding shifts in the number of persons in need of care and the number of persons potentially providing informal care are challenges for its sustainability. Recently suggested reform options are discussed at the end of the paper, showing possible pathways to a sufficient provision of care services in the future.
