care services in elderly care centres were compensated additionally. furthermore, the claim of the short-term care was also raised gradually in care level iii and in cases of hardship. short-term care for children needing help from institutions for the disabled expanded. benefits for day and night care were improved, higher subsidies were offered, and performances got index-linked. also, the insurance period has been shortened to two years. in addition, care funds had a shortened review period so they must provide results within five weeks to the submitted application. for a hospital stay, the review period has to occur by the medical service of health insurance within a week.