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Applying for a Pflegegrad: step by step

You apply for a Pflegegrad (care grade) at the Pflegekasse (long-term care insurance fund). The Pflegekasse belongs to the health insurance fund of the person in need...

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  • Stand: 2026-07-30

  • Your next step: Ring the Pflegekasse today and say the one sentence: “Ich beantrage Leistungen der Pflegeversicherung.” (I am applying for benefits from the long-term care insurance.) Then get free advice – you will find the Pflegestützpunkt in your district under Directory.

Checklist: preparing well for the MD assessment

At the assessment, an assessor from the Medizinischer Dienst / MD (the medical service that assesses care needs) looks at how independent the person in need of care is...

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  • Stand: 2026-07-30

  • Your next step: Start a Pflegetagebuch today and keep it for 14 days, and put together a folder with all your documents. If you would like to go through the appointment with someone: advice at a Pflegestützpunkt is free – addresses under Directory.

Appealing against a Pflegegrad decision

If the Pflegegrad (care grade) is too low or has been refused altogether, you can lodge an appeal (Widerspruch). You have one month from receiving the decision to do...

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  • Stand: 2026-07-30

  • Your next step: Send the short deadline-preserving appeal to the Pflegekasse today and ask for the complete assessment report in the same letter. Then take your time over the reasons – with support from the Pflegestützpunkt, which you can find under Addresses.

Applying for a higher Pflegegrad

If the need for help has grown, you can apply for a higher Pflegegrad (care grade) at any time. An informal letter to the Pflegekasse (long-term care insurance fund)...

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  • Stand: 2026-07-30

  • Your next step: Write two lines informally to the Pflegekasse asking for a new assessment, and start a Pflegetagebuch (care diary) today. You can get free support with the preparation at a Pflegestützpunkt – addresses under Addresses.