Life expectancy and aging in Germany are continuing to rise.
For example, according to the Federal Statistical Office, the number of very old people, in other words, people older than 85, has more than doubled between 1991 and 2021.
The reasons for this are complex. The main ones - increasing prosperity, a very good medical infrastructure and the medical progress resulting from the latter - can be regarded as the driving forces behind this development. Factors such as a healthier lifestyle and higher hygiene standards also lead to a longer life.
The need for nursing care is not something that is a matter of chance - it is a phase of life.
At the same time, the number of people who need long-term support due to health impairments affecting their independence or capabilities is rising. According to the Federal Statistical Office, there are currently around 4.96 million people who are registered as being dependent on care. According to a projection by the Barmer Nursing Report, in 2030 there will be six million people in Germany who will be dependent on nursing care. Currently, approximately 4 out of 5 people in need of long-term care, in other words, about 4.17 million people, receive care at their homes. Many of these individuals are cared for by non-employed caregivers who live close by. Since there is already a shortage of nursing professionals right now, this scenario is expected to become more common.
A challenge for everyone involved
These facts pose major challenges for both the health care sector and political actors. The latter will have to face up to these major obligations and look for solutions through the new care reforms that the current government recently passed.
Ever since compulsory long-term care insurance was introduced as an independent branch of social insurance in 1995, it has provided a number of subsidies and benefits to keep caregivers in the profession.
The insurance industry is also facing challenges: On the one hand, financial resources are tied up by benefit payments, and on the other hand, it also requires personnel capacities that can handle this high number of care cases in a professional manner. This includes the payment of social security contributions. IT promises a remedy - in order to master the growing responsibilities, both presently and in the future, the software market offers a wide variety of product solutions.
Support through digitalized processes
An innovative software solution should lead to fully automated claims processing with automated straight through processing rates, thus relieving insurers in the most comprehensive way possible. To this end, state-of-the-art product solutions should offer the following core functions:
- Assessing caregivers' obligation to contribute to social security.
- Calculating the social security contributions owed by caregivers
- Supporting the system for reporting to the social security carriers
- Preparing the necessary correspondence in accordance with the applicable guidelines
With in|sure Health Securaid, adesso insurance solutions offers a software solution for exactly these application areas, and as a result represents a secure and reliable replacement for existing legacy systems that can be used entirely on its own.
If you would like to receive further information and advice, please contact our expert Martin Lorenz, Senior Business Developer at adesso insurance solutions.
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