GdB 50 secures important advantages for health insurance companies: reduced co-payments, faster approvals for medical aids and continuous therapies are achievable.
Frankfurt – According to data from the Federal Statistical Office, almost eight million people live with a severe disability in Germany. Conversely, this means that almost every tenth person in Germany is considered severely disabled. Most of those affected, just over a third, have a degree of disability (GdB) of 50. To make their everyday lives easier, people with a severely disabled person’s certificate can, among other things, take advantage of tax advantages or have special rights and compensation for disadvantages in their professional life.
But what is often ignored is that the degree of disability of at least 50 also opens important doors when it comes to health insurance. This ranges from reduced co-payments, to dedicated contact points, to faster approvals for aids.
Degree of disability of 50: Reduced co-payment limit for chronic illnesses
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The reduced load limit brings significant financial relief. While healthy insured people have to pay up to two percent of their gross annual income for additional payments, for example for medication or inpatient treatment, this limit drops to just one percent for people with serious chronic illnesses. With an annual income of 30,000 euros, this means a maximum of 300 euros in additional payments instead of 600 euros.
Important to know: The severely disabled person’s certificate alone does not automatically lower the load limit. The decisive factor is the recognized chronicler status according to the Joint Federal Committee Guidelines. A GdB of at least 60 or a care level of 3 to 5 can make proof easier, reports the portal gegen-hartz.debut the medical certificate remains decisive. “If the load limit has already been reached in the current year, the health insurance company will certify this upon application. The insured are then exempt from all additional payments for the rest of the year,” informs the Federal Ministry of Health.
Aids for people with GdB 50: Get to a wheelchair or prosthesis faster
People with severe disabilities often need special aids such as wheelchairs, prostheses or hearing aids. “A GdB makes it easier to classify it as medically necessary, everyday-relevant care and strengthens the doctor’s justification,” writes social law expert Utz Anhalt gegen-hartz.de. In practice, this often leads to smoother approvals. However, the additional payment remains: ten percent of the costs, at least five euros and a maximum of ten euros per aid. Only those who are exempt from additional payments do not have to pay anything here.
The possibility of long-term drug prescriptions is particularly valuable. Many people with severe disabilities require long-term physiotherapy, occupational therapy or speech therapy. The severely disabled person’s ID card helps to document long-term needs and avoid discontinuing therapy. Severely disabled people can also expect faster approval of rehabilitation measures and smooth follow-up care. In addition, a severe disability enables preferential access to so-called disease management programs, such as gegen.hartz.de highlights. Meanwhile, people with severe disabilities of 80 receive various tax reliefs.
Deduct taxes – the checklist
Here you can find out at a glance which costs you can deduct from your annual tax return. Download the tax return checklist for free in the PDF library HERE.
Personal budget and individual services: Not everyone is entitled to all relief
As the federal family portal informs, people with disabilities also have a legal right to a so-called personal budget. This means that those affected can receive money instead of benefits in kind, for example to purchase aids or care services themselves. The amount of the budget depends on the assistance that people with disabilities need, but is usually between 200 and 800 euros per month. The application for a personal budget is submitted directly to the payer, i.e. the responsible health insurance company.
In addition to the relief required by law, many health insurance companies offer special services to severely disabled members: fixed contact persons, individual care advice and support with applications. According to expert Anhalt, barrier-free service channels and adapted prevention offers are also included. “Not every fund offers the same thing, but the trend is towards more personal case management.”
However, as the social association VdK states, not every compensation for disadvantages automatically applies to every severely disabled person. Health insurance companies may be able to cover travel costs for transport to therapy or doctor’s appointments, but only if the disabled person’s ID card contains appropriate information. If people with disabilities believe that they have been incorrectly classified in their GdB, they can lodge an objection. What is important is that. (Sources: Federal Statistical Office, gegen-hartz.de, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Family Affairs, VdK) (jm)
