With the Act on the Further Development of Health Care (GVWG), which came into force on 20 July 2021, §§ 72 (3a) SGB XI et seq. obliged nursing homes approved under SGB XI nationwide to pay their nursing and care staff from 1 September 2022 at least in the amount of collective agreements or church labour law regulations applicable in the respective region. The aim of the regulations is to increase the attractiveness of the nursing profession in long-term care, to promote the retention of nurses and caregivers and to ensure that enough people continue to opt for this profession and these activities in the future.

The aim of the evaluation is to gain insights into the effects of the provisions of §§ 72 paragraphs 3a et seq., 82c SGB XI and to identify possible potential for improvement. In particular, insights are to be gained on the following overarching questions:

1. What are the effects of the regulations for nurses and caregivers?

2. How is the quality of the data basis to be evaluated and what potential for improvement is seen for the procedure and methodology for determining the regionally customary remuneration level(s)?

3. What effects do the regulations have on care facilities (and long-term care insurance funds), in particular on the profitability of personnel expenses?

4. What impact do the regulations have on those in need of care?

In order to achieve the objectives described below, the questions listed in Appendix 1 to this specification are to be investigated using scientific (quantitative and qualitative) methods.

As a matter of principle, evaluations are to be differentiated as far as possible according to the sponsorship, number and type of care of the care facility (outpatient/day-patient/fully inpatient care facilities), federal and state level. Insofar as corresponding data is available, evaluations should be carried out over time (annual development in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025). In principle, the last possible date of collection or publication of data must be included in 2025. Insofar as other periods are named in the questions, these shall take precedence.

Legal changes as well as changes to the guidelines of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds, which take place after publication of the tender and which have an impact on the evaluation of the regulations on remuneration according to collective bargaining agreements, are to be taken into account in the course of the investigation as far as possible and after consultation with the client.