Care needs grow: how to apply for a higher care level
When care becomes more demanding than at the first notice, the existing care level is often no longer enough. Then you can apply for an upgrade, for more benefits from the care insurance fund.
Reach your next steps and the matching ready-made texts in just a few minutes, free of charge:
Apply for an upgrade →Your chances of getting your money back
What you should do now
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1. Record the change
Note what has worsened and how the care effort has risen.
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2. Keep a care diary
Document the actual effort over several days; this supports the application.
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3. Apply for the upgrade
File the application with the care insurance fund; it arranges a new assessment.
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4. Object if refused
If the fund refuses or grades too low, you can file an objection within one month (§ 84 SGG).
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a higher care level?
You file an informal application for an upgrade with the care insurance fund when your state of health has worsened and the need for care has risen. The care insurance fund then commissions a fresh assessment by the Medical Service. A care diary kept over several days helps to prove the actual effort.
What can I do if the upgrade is refused?
You can file an objection within one month of the notice (§ 84 SGG). Justify it with the concrete care effort and submit supplementary medical documents and your care diary. Care support centers and social associations support you with the application and objection free of charge.
Take action now
We put together the ready-made texts and the right places to contact for you.
General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.