Competition among insurers was implemented in 1996, and has led to the increasing mobility of members across insurance funds. Care for the uninsured and for persons beneath statutory barrier of entry or care in excess of the legally defined ceiling is financed by private means or on a means-tested basis through local welfare agencies. Medical and therapeutic services as well as measures intended to prevent the need for long-term care are financed by the sickness funds. Benefits in kind include help with personal hygiene, nutrition, mobility and domestic work and counselling. Cash benefits are paid to family caregivers or to non-professionals and are related to control visits.
Social care is an obligation for social assistance for elderly.
Sickness funds pay for medical and therapeutic services, handicap aids and rehabilitation. The cash benefits for the needy are intended mainly to provide incentives to family members to care for those in need of long-term care. Long-term care insurance provides counselling and training to caregivers and respite services. Self-employed persons and tenured civil servants are allowed to opt out as well. There is extensive benefit package covering all medical care, including unlimited visits to specialists and dental care.