The basis: the assessment instrument under Section 15 SGB XI
Since 2017 the Medical Service (Medizinischer Dienst) has assessed independence in six areas of life, called modules. Which questions are asked and how many points each answer scores is set out in Annex 1 to Section 15 of the German Social Code Book XI (SGB XI). Annex 2 sets out how these become weighted points. Our detailed mode implements exactly these two annexes, with all 64 criteria.
Step 1: individual points per question
- Independence (mobility, self-care, daily life): independent 0, mostly independent 1, mostly dependent 2, dependent 3 points.
- Abilities (orientation, memory, communication): present 0 to not present 3 points.
- Behaviour: never or very rarely 0, rarely 1, often 3, daily 5 points.
- Special rules for self-care: eating counts three times (up to 9 points), drinking and using the toilet twice (up to 6). Incontinence only counts if it is predominant or complete. Tube feeding: partial 6, complete 3 points.
- Illness and treatment: what counts is how often someone else has to help. Medication, injections, measurements and similar are converted to help per day (per week ÷ 7, per month ÷ 30). Visits to doctors and therapists score 4.3 points per weekly visit and 1 point per monthly visit; visits of more than three hours count double.
Step 2: weighted points per area
For each area, the sum of the individual points is converted into weighted points (Annex 2):
| Area | Weight | Individual points → weighted points |
|---|---|---|
| Mobility | 10% | 0–1 → 0 · 2–3 → 2.5 · 4–5 → 5 · 6–9 → 7.5 · 10–15 → 10 |
| Orientation, memory, communication | 15% higher value counts | 0–1 → 0 · 2–5 → 3.75 · 6–10 → 7.5 · 11–16 → 11.25 · 17–33 → 15 |
| Behaviour and psychological problems | 0 → 0 · 1–2 → 3.75 · 3–4 → 7.5 · 5–6 → 11.25 · 7–65 → 15 | |
| Self-care | 40% | 0–2 → 0 · 3–7 → 10 · 8–18 → 20 · 19–36 → 30 · 37–54 → 40 |
| Illness and treatment | 20% | 0 → 0 · 1 → 5 · 2–3 → 10 · 4–5 → 15 · 6–15 → 20 |
| Daily life and social contacts | 15% | 0 → 0 · 1–3 → 3.75 · 4–6 → 7.5 · 7–11 → 11.25 · 12–18 → 15 |
Step 3: total points and care level
The weighted points are added up (maximum 100). This gives the care level:
| Care level | current rules | from 2027 (draft) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | from 12.5 | from 15 |
| 2 | from 27 | from 30 |
| 3 | from 47.5 | from 50 |
| 4 | from 70 | from 70 |
| 5 | from 90 | from 90 |
Special case: if both arms and both legs can no longer be used, the person can be assigned to care level 5 even with fewer than 90 points (special case of need, besondere Bedarfskonstellation, Section 15(4) SGB XI).
Children: different rules apply to children. They are assessed in comparison with children developing typically for their age, with additional criteria (4.K and 5.K in Annex 1) and special rules for children up to 18 months (Section 15(6) and (7) SGB XI). The calculator does not reflect this.
Quick mode and detailed mode
Detailed mode calculates exactly as described above. Quick mode asks 23 core questions and estimates the severity for each area. It is good for a first impression. If the result is close to a threshold, please use detailed mode.
How we tested it
- All criteria and point values were taken directly from Annexes 1 and 2 to Section 15 SGB XI.
- The calculation was programmed a second time, independently. 800 random cases across all care levels were run through both: 0 differences in points and care level.
- All threshold values in the illness and treatment area (e.g. exactly once a week, 3 and 8 times a day, 4.3 / 8.6 / 12.9 / 60 points for visits) were tested individually.
What the calculator cannot do
- It does not replace the assessment. Whether someone is “mostly independent” is judged by the Medical Service according to its guidelines. Families often see it differently.
- It is for adults. Different rules apply to children, especially up to 18 months.
- Reform 2027: The new thresholds are included. According to the draft, parts of the scoring table will also change. We will update the calculator as soon as the law is passed (expected December 2026).
Your data
All calculations run only in your browser. Your answers are not transmitted or stored.
Sources
- Annex 1 to Section 15 SGB XI – individual points (German) (opens in a new tab)
- Annex 2 to Section 15 SGB XI – scoring system (German) (opens in a new tab)
- Section 15 SGB XI – determining the degree of care need (German) (opens in a new tab)
- Government draft of the care reform act (Pflegeneuordnungsgesetz), cabinet decision of 30 Sept 2026, Bundesrat document 587/26