The Federal Ministry of Health is planning a new act for better care of people in need of nursing care: the Nursing Competence Act (PKG). It also draws on DiPA, the digital care applications.
On September 6, 2024, the draft bill for the Nursing Competence Act was published. With regard to DiPA, it contains the following points, among others:
- A trial year for DiPA is to be introduced, analogous to the DiGA fast track.
- The entitlement of people in need of care is increased from the previous 50 euros per month to 70 euros. Of this, 40 euros is to be for the DiPA itself, while 30 euros may be reimbursed for supplementary support services.
- If the DiPA achieves relief for carers, it is also assumed that this has a positive effect on those in need of care. To demonstrate this relief, an evaluation must be submitted. What this may look like is not defined in more detail.
- The use of DiPA remains limited to outpatient home care; use in inpatient care is not provided for.
Interest groups can submit statements until September 30. The public hearing of associations then follows on October 2.
In theory, DiPA have been reimbursable by the long-term care insurance funds since 2021 in order to support people in need of care or their family carers. Little has happened since then: not a single DiPA has so far been listed in the directory by the BfArM.
So far, only DiGA have made it into reimbursement, and their objectives differ from those of DiPA:
If you are interested in the legal framework for DiPA to date, take a look at our updated expert article: DiPA guide: digital applications for care