Emergency call system without a care level: What options are there?

An emergency call system can also be useful even if you do not yet have a care level. Perhaps you live alone, feel insecure after a fall, or want to take precautions for an emergency. Relatives often also want a reliable way to be informed quickly if something happens. However, an emergency call system can be purchased or booked privately at any time. Without a recognized care level, the long-term care insurance fund usually does not cover the costs of a home emergency call system. However, you can pay for an emergency call system yourself and use it immediately. You have the choice between a classic home emergency call system for the apartment, an emergency call watch, and a mobile emergency call bracelet for at home and on the go. In this article, you will find out what options you have without a care level, what costs you should expect, and what you should consider when choosing an emergency call system.

• An emergency call system can also be used without a care level.
  
• Without a recognized care level, you usually bear the costs yourself.
  
• A classic home emergency call system is usually tied to a base station and its range.
  
• Mobile emergency call systems can also be used when shopping, in the garden or on walks.
  
• Do not only pay attention to the price, but also to operation, battery life and the emergency chain.
  
• If there is already a need for support in everyday life, it may be useful to apply for a care level.
  

Yes. You do not need a care level to purchase or set up a private emergency call system. You can decide for yourself which device and service suit your everyday life. A care level becomes particularly important if you want to apply for cost coverage from the long-term care insurance fund. Nursing aids are generally granted to people in need of care. A recognized care level is therefore a prerequisite. The claim is based on Section 40 SGB XI and includes aids that facilitate care, alleviate complaints, or enable a more independent life. Without a care level, you can privately finance the emergency call system. This can be useful if you want to take precautions and do not yet need comprehensive support in everyday life.

A care level does not automatically indicate whether there is an increased need for safety in everyday life. Even people without a care level can fall, suddenly experience circulatory problems, or be unable to reach their phone in another emergency situation.

A emergency call system can be particularly suitable if you:

• live alone,
  
• desire more independence and freedom,
  
• have already fallen,
  
• suffer from dizziness or balance problems,
  
• still feel insecure after a hospital stay,
  
• frequently go for walks or shop alone,
  
• do not own a smartphone or do not carry it constantly,
  
• wish to relieve your relatives,
  
• proactively desire a simple way to call for help.
  

What matters is not only whether a need for care has already been established. More important is whether you could quickly and independently get help in an emergency. Further tips on fall prevention can be found in this article: "Emergency bracelet for seniors after a fall: How to take precautions now".

In principle, the same systems are available to you as to people with a care degree. The main difference lies in the financing.

• Classic Home Emergency Call System

A classic home emergency call system usually consists of a base station in the apartment and a portable radio transmitter. The emergency call button is worn as a wristband or necklace. When the button is pressed, it sends a signal to the base station. From there, a connection is established to private contacts or an emergency call center.

A classic home emergency call system can be useful if you:

• are predominantly at home,
  
• prefer a stationary solution,
  
• rarely leave the range of the base station,
  
• primarily desire additional security within the apartment.
  

Outside the range of the base station, the portable button often no longer works. For active people, a mobile solution may therefore be more suitable.

• Smartwatch

An emergency watch often resembles a smartwatch. In addition to the emergency call, depending on the model, it can display time, steps, health values, messages or other functions. This can be practical, but it sometimes increases the effort required for operation. Touchscreens, small icons, and various menus can become confusing, especially in a stressful situation.

Also check:

• Does the watch work without a smartphone?
  
• How is the emergency call triggered?
  
• Is there a direct voice connection?
  
• How long does the battery last?
  
• Is the location transmitted only in an emergency or continuously?
  
• Who is informed after an emergency call?
  .

• Mobile Emergency Wristband

A mobile emergency wristband is worn directly on the wrist and has its own mobile phone connection. This means it is not tied to a base station in the home.

Depending on the system, it can:

• trigger an emergency call at the touch of a button,
  
• automatically detect a possible fall,
  
• establish a voice connection,
  
• transmit the location in an active emergency,
  
• inform private contacts or an emergency call center.
  

A mobile emergency wristband is particularly suitable for people who want to remain independent even outside the home.

Without a care level, the costs are usually not covered by the long-term care insurance fund. You therefore pay the device price and, if applicable, a monthly service fee yourself.

The costs depend on:

• whether you buy or rent the device,
  
• whether an emergency call center is included,
  
• whether mobile phone costs are included in the tariff,
  
• how many emergency contacts can be integrated,
  
• whether an app for relatives is available,
  
• whether additional services are charged,
  
• which contract term applies.
  

According to the consumer advice center, basic tariffs for classic home emergency call systems are often between approximately 27 and 40 euros per month. Additional services can incur further costs. However, the specific prices differ depending on the system and scope of services. Therefore, do not only compare the monthly price. Carefully check which services are included and whether additional fees arise for setup, shipping, emergency call center or deployments.

The Gardia emergency wristband can also be ordered and used without a care level. In this case, you pay for the device and the chosen service plan yourself. Service plans start at 17.95 Euros per month. Depending on the chosen offer, private emergency contacts or optionally the professional 24/7 emergency call center from Bosch can be integrated.

Features include:

• central emergency button,
  
• automatic, AI-based FallGuard360° fall detection,
  
• integrated mobile connection,
  
• use without the wearer's smartphone,
  
• direct voice connection via the wristband,
  
• location transmission in an active emergency,
  
• up to six private emergency contacts,
  
• up to 21 days of battery life,
  
• water and dust protection according to IP67.

There are devices that do not include a monitored emergency call center after purchase and, in an emergency, only call stored relatives or send messages.

Such a solution can be cheaper. However, it requires that:

• the contacted persons are reachable,
  
• the technical equipment functions reliably,
  
• a SIM card or mobile connection is available,
  
• the contacts know how to react,
  
• another person is informed if someone is unreachable.
  

Therefore, an emergency call system without a monthly fee is not automatically the better or cheaper choice. What is crucial is whether the emergency chain functions reliably at night, on weekends, or during a holiday.

With an emergency call system without a care level, you can also choose between private emergency contacts and a professional emergency call center.

• Private emergency contacts

Private contacts can be relatives, friends, or neighbors. In an active emergency, they receive a notification and can assess the situation.

This can work well if:

• several people are involved,
  
• responsibilities have been agreed upon,
  
• contacts are regularly available,
  
• someone lives nearby,
  
• in an emergency, it is clear who organizes what kind of help.
  

• Professional emergency call center

A professional emergency call center is available around the clock. Trained staff can speak to the affected person and, depending on the situation, notify relatives, an on-call service, or the emergency services.

An emergency call center can be particularly useful if relatives:

• live far away,
  
• are difficult to reach due to work,
  
• cannot reliably react at night,
  
• do not want to take sole responsibility.
  

With the Gardia emergency bracelet, you can store up to 6 private emergency contacts and/or optionally book Bosch's professional 24/7 emergency call center.

If there is already a regular need for support, it may be advisable to submit an application. Restrictions in various areas of life can be relevant, for example:

• mobility,
  
• personal hygiene,
  
• independent eating,
  
• handling medication,
  
• orientation and memory,
  
• structuring daily life,
  
• coping with illness-related demands.
  

After the application, the long-term care insurance fund checks how independently the person concerned can manage their daily life. Information on the procedure is provided in the online guide of the Federal Ministry of Health. A detailed guide can be found in our article "Applying for a long-term care degree: Insights from MDK and long-term care insurance funds."

From care level 1, a home emergency call system may be covered if additional requirements are met. This typically includes the person living alone or alone for large parts of the day and likely being unable to call for help through conventional means in an emergency. The long-term care insurance fund decides on each application individually. An approved care level therefore does not automatically mean that every emergency call system or every tariff is fully paid for. Often, only basic care is considered. Additional functions may have to be self-financed. For the Gardia emergency call bracelet, a possible cost reimbursement for the PflegePlus subscription can be applied for from care level 1. Whether and to what extent the long-term care insurance fund covers the costs depends on the individual approval. Further information can be found here.

If you are classified into a care degree after purchasing an emergency call system, you can have it checked whether cost coverage may be possible in the future. The application is submitted to the long-term care insurance fund. According to the Federal Ministry of Health, the long-term care insurance fund must generally decide on an application for benefits within three weeks. If a care professional or the Medical Service is involved, the deadline can be extended to five weeks.

The process can be as follows:

1. Have your care degree determined.
   
2. Find out about the requirements of your long-term care insurance fund.
   
3. Submit the application for provision of an emergency call system.
   
4. Supplement the requested documents.
   
5. Await written approval.
   
6. Carefully check which services are covered.
   

Retroactive reimbursement of private costs already incurred is not automatically guaranteed. Therefore, clarify with your long-term care insurance fund in advance from when an approved provision would apply.

An emergency call system can also be useful without a care level. You can order and use a classic home emergency call system, an emergency call watch, or a mobile emergency call wristband privately. You will initially bear the costs yourself. The best solution depends on your daily life. If you spend most of your time at home, a classic home emergency call system may be sufficient. If you are regularly out and about, a mobile system offers more flexibility. The Gardia emergency call wristband works without a smartphone for the wearer and without a stationary base station. It combines a central emergency button with automatic, AI-based FallGuard360° fall detection, direct voice connection, location transmission in an active emergency, and up to 21 days of battery life. If there is already a regular need for support, you should check, regardless of the emergency call system, whether a care level is an option. From care level 1, cost coverage may be possible. However, the final decision is always made by the responsible long-term care insurance fund.