Guide
Applying for household help after surgery
From the medical certificate to billing: how to apply to your health insurance fund for household help after an operation, with a checklist of documents.
The most important facts in plain language
You had an operation or are seriously ill. Then the health insurance often pays for household help. We clean, do the washing and go shopping for you. You need a note from your doctor. We help you apply.
Get well again
Household help after surgery
Statutory health insurance covers household help after surgery, an accident or a serious illness under § 38 SGB V if nobody else in your household can step in. Support is possible for up to 4 weeks, or up to 26 weeks if a child under 12 lives with you. We help with the application and bill your health insurance fund (Krankenkasse) directly.
4 to 26 weeks under § 38 SGB V
Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm
Who is entitled to household help from the health insurance fund?
The legal basis is § 38 SGB V. Your statutory health insurance fund covers household help (Haushaltshilfe) if you cannot keep your household running because of a serious illness or an acute worsening of an illness. The law names three situations in particular:
- after a hospital stay
- after outpatient surgery
- after outpatient hospital treatment
This also applies if an accident was the reason for the surgery or the hospital stay. In addition, the following must apply:
- No other person living in your household can keep it running.
- A doctor certifies that household help is necessary.
- If no child lives in your household, the entitlement only exists if you do not have care level (Pflegegrad) 2 to 5. With care level 1 it is therefore possible.
How long does the fund pay?
Up to 4 weeks. If a child under 12 or a disabled child who depends on help lives in your household, up to 26 weeks are possible. Some health insurance funds offer more under their own statutes (Satzung).
If you have care level 2 or higher, there are options through the long-term care fund (Pflegekasse), such as household help for seniors with a care level. Our guide to household help without a care level sums up the options if you have no care level at all. If you need help because of pregnancy complications or after giving birth, separate rules apply: see household help during pregnancy.
What do we take care of after your operation?
Our home helper keeps your household running the way you would otherwise do it yourself. You can rest and recover in peace.
- Cleaning, kitchen and bathroom
- Laundry: washing, hanging up, folding
- Shopping, including heavy items
- Preparing meals
- Errands, for example to the pharmacy
- The small weekly cleaning duty for stairs and entrance (kleine Kehrwoche)
You get a dedicated home helper who comes at agreed times. Wound care, personal hygiene and other medical tasks are not included, because we are not a nursing service. If you need them, we put you in touch with a nursing service. On request we also arrange transport to doctor's appointments and follow-up care.
What does household help after surgery cost?
Once household help has been approved, the health insurance fund covers the costs. We are an approved provider of domestic care (hauswirtschaftliche Versorgung) under § 132 SGB V and bill all 93 statutory health insurance funds directly (as of July 2026). You do not have to pay the costs up front.
Co-payment
From the age of 18 there is a statutory co-payment (Zuzahlung): 10 percent of the daily costs, at least 5 and at most 10 euros per day. This is set out in § 61 SGB V.
Help from relatives
If relatives up to the second degree, such as children, grandchildren, parents or siblings, run the household, the fund does not pay them as household help. Only travel costs and loss of earnings can be reimbursed.
With private health insurance, coverage depends on your policy, and we advise you case by case. If you need more support than the fund covers, you can book additional hours privately.
How to apply for household help
If possible, apply before the household help starts. If your operation is already scheduled, it is best to call us beforehand so that everything is ready when you come home. Our guide on applying for household help after surgery explains the process and the documents step by step.
Medical certificate
Your doctor certifies that you need household help. After a hospital stay, it is best to ask for it before you are discharged.
Application to the health insurance fund
Submit the application together with the certificate to your health insurance fund. We tell you what information is needed and help you fill it in.
First call and home visit
On the phone we discuss what needs doing in the household. During the home visit we agree on tasks and times.
Start and billing
Once approved, your dedicated home helper starts. Billing goes directly through your health insurance fund.
Frequently asked questions
How long does health insurance pay for household help after surgery?
Up to 4 weeks. If a child under 12 or a disabled child who depends on help lives in the household, up to 26 weeks are possible. Some funds offer more under their statutes.
Does this also apply after outpatient surgery?
Yes, the law explicitly mentions outpatient surgery. The condition is that you cannot keep your household running as a result and nobody else in the household can step in. You also need a medical certificate in this case.
How much do I have to pay myself?
From the age of 18, 10 percent of the daily costs, at least 5 and at most 10 euros per day. This is set out in § 61 SGB V. The health insurance fund covers the rest.
My partner lives with me. Am I still entitled?
The health insurance fund checks whether another person in your household can keep it running. If so, there is usually no entitlement. Whether this applies to you depends on the individual case. We are happy to advise you beforehand.
I have a care level. Will the health insurance still pay?
With care level 1 yes, if the other conditions are met. With care levels 2 to 5 there is no entitlement unless a child lives in the household. In that case, benefits from the long-term care fund such as the relief allowance (Entlastungsbetrag) or the conversion entitlement (Umwandlungsanspruch) can help.
Can my daughter run the household and be paid for it?
Not as household help. The health insurance fund does not pay relatives up to the second degree, only travel costs and loss of earnings can be reimbursed. If household help comes from an approved provider like us, however, we bill the fund directly.
Related guides
Guide
Household help without a care level
Health insurance instead of care insurance: when you can get household help without a care level, after surgery, during serious illness or in pregnancy.
Talk to us, with no obligation
We advise you free of charge, check what your fund will cover and tell you honestly what is possible. Call us or send us a message.