A Study on the New Assessment Tool for Determining Eligibility for Long-term Care in Germany

Abstract

In recognition of the criticism that the current tool is limited in terms of assessing the need for a long-term care, Germany introduced a measure to adopt the modular assessment system that replaces the existing concept of time and considers not only the functional condition of the care recipient but also the comprehensive perspectives. This measure is ‘Das neue Begutachtungsassessment zur Feststellung von Pflegebedurftigkeit (NBI; the new assessment tool for determining eligibility for long-term care)’, announced by Federal Association of Long-term Care in 2011. The purpose of this study is to analyze the structure and key points of the NBI for assessment and implications. The determination of the German academia and government to reform the long-term care insurance system can clearly seen in the newly defined concept of the ‘Pflegebedurftigkeit’ - the theoretical basis of the NBI - as well as the structure and content designed based on the concept, not to mention the modular structure of ‘the new assessment’ - the key element of the NBI. What is particularly notable with the NBI is that the designers have accepted the limitations of the time concept, which is fundamental to the long-term care eligibility evaluation, and have developed the new system to fill the gap. This is an element to be noted by the Korean researchers who seek to enhance objectivity and feasibility of the eligibility score while working toward adopting a more dependable system. Even if the decision is made that the eligibility score stays, it will be useful to refer to the experiences of other countries with the new system in order to overcome the limitations of the tools. Germany’s experience with the NBI provides a perspective that it is necessary to ponder on the extent to which the tool warrants the appropriateness or feasibility to respond to the call of times.