A company is currently offering advice on care services for a service fee of 199 euros. Those affected, primarily older people, usually receive a phone call and then a letter. The Swiss company advertises that it can help enforce a claim to care benefits of up to 6,280 euros annually. From the point of view of the NRW consumer advice center, this alone is dubious.

Those in need of care receive free advice from official municipal authorities or care insurance companies. What is particularly important for those affected is that anyone who has concluded a contract over the phone - possibly even unknowingly - should not pay immediately but rather cancel the contract.

How can such contracts be revoked?

The basic rule is: advertising calls without the express consent of the consumer are not permitted. Nevertheless, with a few exceptions, contracts concluded over the telephone are still valid without subsequent confirmation. However, those affected can usually revoke contracts concluded over the telephone within 14 days.

Providers are obliged to provide information about the right of withdrawal and to provide cancellation instructions. If the provider subsequently submits the instructions, consumers then have 14 days to withdraw their consent. If no cancellation instructions are given, the right of cancellation is extended and only expires after 12 months and 14 days. Those affected can use a sample letter from the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Center to revoke their consent.

Are those in need of care really entitled to up to 6,280 euros?

That sounds like a lot at first. In reality, this can be even more than that. From care level 2 onwards, there are many different services that can be used for home care. The amount depends primarily on the level of care.

  • In the highest level, care level 5, for example, there is 901 euros in care allowance per month if carers provide care at home.
  • Anyone who is cared for at home by an outpatient care service receives up to 2,095 euros at care level 5.
  • In addition, regardless of the level of care, you are entitled to 125 euros per month as a relief amount for support in everyday life.
  • There is also money for aids, accommodation adjustments or preventive care.

Overall, there can be a significantly higher financial claim than 6,280 euros per year. In addition, in the opinion of the North Rhine-Westphalia consumer advice center, the provider's promise that the nursing care fund "does not carry out a needs test" is untenable. Care insurance companies are obliged to check the need for a renovation or a home emergency call, which the company also mentions in its terms and conditions.

Official care advice is available free of charge

All people who have statutory health and nursing care insurance are entitled to free, neutral and individual care advice. And not only when someone has already been classified into a care level, but as soon as those in need of care contact the care insurance fund because there is a clear need for help and advice or because they would like to apply for a care level.

In North Rhine-Westphalia, for example, there are more than 500 advice centers run by municipalities, nursing care funds or welfare associations. Those with private insurance can contact Compass Private Nursing Advice. The Nursing Guide NRW offers a free hotline on 0800 / 40 40 044 and can help if you have any questions about the right local contact point.

Why are such providers successful?

Anyone in need of care must deal with complicated applications and regulations. It's not easy to keep track of things here. Commercial providers take advantage of this. In fact, many people in need of care miss out on benefits due to ignorance or apply for a level of care very late when they can no longer cope on their own.

Article image: Pixabay
Source: Consumer advice center NRW

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