The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV-Spitzenverband) continues the Nursing Aids Directory Product Group 51

The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds and Long-term Care Funds (GKV-Spitzenverband) has updated product group 51, “Care aids for body care/hygiene and for the relief of complaints,” of the Directory of Care Aids. The new version was approved on August 3, 2026, and announced in the Federal Gazette (Bundesanzeiger) on September 2, 2026, under the official reference BAnz AT 02.09.2026 B2. The announcement is dated August 5, 2026, and was signed on behalf of the association by Dr. Antje Schwinger.

Legal Basis and Issuing Authority

The Directory of Care Aids is created by the GKV-Spitzenverband as an annex to the Aids Directory. The legal basis is Section 78 of the Eleventh Book of the Social Code (SGB XI), according to which care aids covered by the benefit obligations of long-term care insurance must be listed in a directory. The underlying Aids Directory itself is based on Section 139 of the Fifth Book of the Social Code (SGB V) and must be updated regularly and announced in the Federal Gazette.

The announcement is made via the Federal Ministry of Health as the issuing authority of the official gazette. The full text of the update to product group 51, “Care aids for body care and hygiene,” can be accessed on the internet at www.gkv-spitzenverband.de as of the date of this announcement.

What the Update Encompasses

Product group 51 includes care aids for body care and hygiene as well as for the relief of complaints. Through the update, the aids listed in this product group are updated and reformulated. The new version was approved on August 3, 2026, and replaces the previous version of the product group.

For the affected parties, the entry in the directory is of immediate importance, as only the care aids listed there are covered by the benefit obligations of long-term care insurance. The update therefore affects those in need of care as well as service providers and manufacturers.

Significance for Persons in Need of Care and Service Providers

The announcement has practical consequences for care provision:

• Persons in need of care can only claim those care aids as benefits in kind that are listed in the Directory of Care Aids.
• Service providers and medical supply stores must align their product ranges with the updated product group 51.
• Manufacturers must ensure that their products meet the requirements of the new version to continue to be covered by the benefit obligation.

The full text of the update is publicly accessible via the GKV-Spitzenverband website and forms the binding basis for the billing and reimbursement of the affected care aids.

Effect of the Announcement

With the publication in the Federal Gazette (Bundesanzeiger), the updated product group 51 becomes binding for all parties involved. The regular updating of the directory ensures that the benefit obligations of the long-term care insurance remain adapted to the current state of available care aids. Those in need of care and service providers should review the new version to ensure smooth provision and reimbursement.

Source: Federal Gazette, issue of September 2, 2026, Official Part, p. 1 (official reference: BAnz AT 02.09.2026 B2).