Making the Most of Short-Term Care After a Hospital Stay: Your Guide
16 Jun 2025
11
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
A hospital stay often raises questions about continued care. Many are unaware that they are entitled to short-term care, even without a high level of care. This article shows you how to find and finance the right support.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Short-term care after hospitalization is possible, even without a care level of two to five (health insurance benefits up to €1,854).
From care level two to five, the nursing care fund provides up to €1,854 for short-term care, which can be combined with funds for respite care.
Transitional care in the hospital (up to ten days) can be a solution if no short-term care place is available.
Immediate Overview: The Essentials of Short-Term Care After Hospital
If home care is not immediately secured after a hospital stay, short-term care steps in. It can last up to eight weeks per calendar year. The health insurance covers costs up to 1,854 euros if there is no care level two or higher. If a care level of two to five is present, the nursing care fund is responsible and also provides up to 1,854 euros annually. In certain cases, transitional care in the hospital is possible for a maximum of ten days. The application should always be submitted before claiming the service.
Clarification of Claims: Who Pays When for Short-Term Care?
Responsibility for covering the cost of short-term care after a hospital stay depends on your care situation. If there is no care level or only care level one, your health insurance provider is usually the contact person. This is especially true when home healthcare is insufficient to bridge the care gap after being discharged from the hospital. Many patients are surprised to find out that the health insurance can cover up to €1,854 for a maximum of eight weeks. From care level two (up to five), the nursing care insurance is responsible for short-term care services. The benefit amount is the same here, up to €1,854 per calendar year for up to 56 days. An appropriate care insurance can provide early security in this case.
It is important to submit the application in good time. The hospital’s social service is often a first point of contact for applying. They assist with the formalities and finding a suitable place. Short-term care serves as a bridge until home care is organized or another care solution is found. Always clarify the cost coverage in advance to avoid financial surprises. Consider an additional health insurance policy to close coverage gaps.
Practical Steps: Successfully Apply for Short-Term Care
The application for short-term care after hospitalisation should be submitted as early as possible, ideally while still in the clinic. The hospital's social services can be a great help in this regard and can provide the necessary forms. For applications to the health insurance (without care grades 2 to 5), a medical certificate confirming necessity is required. If you already have a care grade of 2 to 5, you should direct your application to your care fund. Contacting them early ensures you have the best chance of a seamless transition.
The following documents and information are generally required:
Medical certificate (for applications via health insurance)
Personal and insurance details
Information about the hospital stay
Desired period and facility for short-term care (if known)
Notification of care grade (for applications via care fund)
Processing times for applications can vary. When hospitalised, the assessment to determine a care grade must be completed within five working days if this is necessary to ensure continued care. A private health insurance may offer additional services in certain cases.
Special Case Transitional Care: When No Slots are Available
Sometimes, immediately after a hospital stay, neither home care is secured nor is a short-term care place available. For such cases, there is transitional care in the hospital, regulated in Section 39e SGB V. This service can be used for up to ten days per hospital treatment. Transitional care is an important option to close a care gap and provides time for organisation. The health insurance covers the costs here. It includes accommodation and meals as well as the necessary medical treatment and care. This is particularly relevant, for example, if a care level still needs to be applied for. The entitlement also exists for care level one or if no need for care has yet been determined under the care insurance.
Expert Knowledge: Legal Basics and Design Tips
The legal basis for short-term care after a hospital stay can be found in several places. For people without care level two to five or with care level one, Paragraph 39c SGB V is often relevant, which regulates short-term care through health insurance. The care funds provide short-term care for insured persons with care level two to five according to Paragraph 42 SGB XI. Here, the entitlement can be up to 1,854 euros for up to eight weeks per calendar year. Our expert tip: Always clarify in advance with your insurance what specific requirements apply and what documents are needed. The relief amount of 125 euros per month can also be used for short-term care services, such as covering accommodation and meals. A supplementary care insurance can help minimize the remaining personal contributions.
Consider the following aspects for smooth organization:
Speak early with the hospital social service.
Submit applications promptly, preferably from the hospital.
Have the necessity of short-term care certified by a doctor.
Check whether funds from preventive care (up to 1,612 euros) can be transferred to short-term care to increase the total amount to up to 3,386 euros (applies to care levels two to five).
Carefully document all agreements and submitted documents.
The assessment deadlines are also legally regulated. If the applicant immediately after a hospital stay avails of short-term care, the final assessment by the Medical Service must take place within ten working days after the start of the short-term care in this facility. If you have questions about co-payments for short-term care, we are happy to advise you.
Optimise combinations and financial aspects
To reduce the financial burden of short-term care after a hospital stay, there are several options available. Individuals requiring care from level two upwards can use unused funds from respite care for short-term care. This allows the amount available for short-term care to be increased by up to 1,612 euros from respite care, resulting in a total of up to 3,386 euros. This combination option is a key lever for financing. Half of the care allowance continues to be paid during the short-term care for up to eight weeks. Additionally, the monthly relief amount of 125 euros can be used for accommodation, meals, and investment costs. A close look at the services of the health insurance is crucial here. A daily sickness allowance can also provide financial security during recovery.
Outlook: The new relief budget from 2025
From the first of July 2025, an important change comes into effect: the joint annual budget, also known as the relief budget. This combines the previously separate budgets for short-term care and preventive care. Those in need of care from care level two and persons under 25 years of age with care level four or five will then have a total service amount of up to 3,539 euros per calendar year available. This new regulation offers significantly more flexibility in utilisation. The previous six-month prior care period for preventive care will also no longer apply. For those in need of care with care level four or five who have not yet reached the age of 25, this regulation has been in effect since the first of January 2024. This simplification is an important step in making care after a hospital stay or for other care requirements more flexible.
More useful links
Bundesministerium für Gesundheit provides basic information about short-term care.
Bundesministerium für Gesundheit explains in detail the services of temporary full inpatient short-term care in the online care guide.
Bundesministerium für Gesundheit provides information about care services offered by health insurance companies.
Bundesministerium für Gesundheit provides a PDF document with current numbers and facts about long-term care insurance.
Pflegenetzwerk Deutschland offers comprehensive information on the topic of short-term care.
Wikipedia provides an extensive article on short-term care.
Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis) offers comprehensive statistics on the care sector on its topic page.
Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis) publishes detailed statistics on recipients of social assistance in the care sector.
Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis) includes current figures and developments in care in a press release.
FAQ
What happens if I can't find a place in short-term care after leaving the hospital?
In this case, you may be able to receive transitional care in the hospital for up to ten days. The health insurance will cover the costs.
Does the health insurance also cover the costs for accommodation and meals in short-term care?
No, the €1,854 from the health or nursing care insurance only covers care-related expenses. Accommodation, meals, and investment costs must be borne personally but can potentially be co-financed through the relief amount (€125/month).
Can I combine short-term care and respite care?
Yes, those in need of care from level two onwards can use unused funds from respite care (up to 1,612 euros) for short-term care and thus increase the amount to up to 3,386 euros. From July 2025, there will be a combined relief budget of 3,539 euros.
How quickly must a decision be made about my care level application if I am in the hospital?
If you are in hospital and an assessment is necessary to ensure further care, it must be carried out within five working days.
What is the difference between short-term care provided by the health insurance and the care insurance?
The health insurance provides short-term care according to §39c SGB V when there is no need for long-term care according to SGB XI (care level 2-5), but temporary care is required after a hospital stay. The long-term care insurance provides according to §42 SGB XI for insured persons with care level 2-5. The benefit amount is the same at 1,854 euros.
Will my care allowance continue to be paid during short-term care?
Yes, during short-term care, the care allowance is continued at half the rate for up to eight weeks per calendar year.
