Home Care Service License

To operate a home care service (ambulanter Pflegedienst) and bill through the statutory long-term care insurance system, you need a care provision contract (Versorgungsvertrag) under Section 72 SGB XI. Without this contract, your service cannot be reimbursed by the Pflegekassen. You also need to meet state-level notification or licensing requirements, which vary by Bundesland.

The contract is concluded with the state associations of long-term care insurance funds (Landesverbände der Pflegekassen). Key requirements include employing a qualified nursing professional as care manager, demonstrating efficient and cost-effective care delivery, and paying staff according to a collective agreement or equivalent. The contract defines your service area and the types of care you may provide.