Germany proposes care insurance reform affecting hygiene supply funding

A draft law to reorganize long-term care insurance (PNOG) in Germany proposes significant structural changes to how care supplies are funded. The draft suggests abolishing the current entitlement to in-kind benefits for consumable care aids for those in care level 1 and transitioning levels 2 through 5 to a flat-rate relief budget.

The IHO has expressed concerns that this shift from specific in-kind benefits to a flexible budget could jeopardize infection prevention in home care settings. Under the current system, the entitlement ensures targeted supply of essential, quality-assured hygiene and infection protection products. Moving to a general budget would place hygiene products in direct competition with other care expenditures, potentially increasing the risk of under-supply for disinfectants and other protective measures.