As the fifth branch of German Social Insurance the statutory long-term care insurance was introduced in two phases. Since 1995 insured persons have been required to pay contributions for long-term care insurance. And since mid-1996 those insured have been entitled to home care as well as institutional care.
Carriers of the social long-term care insurance are the care insurance funds, which work under the umbrella of the health insurance funds. This means that each health insurance fund has an affiliated care insurance fund.
Like the health insurance funds, the care insurance funds are independent, self-governing corporations under public law. The organs of self-government for the care insurance funds are the same as those of the health insurance funds. Those working in the care insurance fund are employed by the health insurance fund.
