New requirements for hair replacemen providers starting in June

Following a very comprehensive 17th update, which was dominated by the reduction of bureaucracy, a significantly smaller 18th update of the recommendations in accordance with Section 126 (1) sentence 3 of the German Social Code, Book V (SGB V) will come into force on June 1, 2025. There are no new areas of care this time.

The main changes concern second hair suppliers (VB 34 A/B). Here, the material requirement for “standard hairdressing tools” such as scissors, combs, or hair clips is no longer applicable. This is another sensible reduction in requirements, as a hairdresser would not be able to work without their standard equipment. In addition to a curling iron, a straightening iron must also be provided from June 1, 2025. Both devices must have an analog or digital temperature display. The 18th update also removes the requirement to provide a steam and a dryer. In future, the steam device will suffice.

For supply areas 31A (orthopedic custom-made shoes without diabetic foot care) and 31F (orthopedic custom-made shoes), the 18th update no longer requires proof of a table sewing machine. Likewise, proof of a saddler/repair sewing machine is no longer required for VB 31A. For both supply areas, a “saddler's sewing machine/repair sewing machine or a (table) sewing machine with a free arm” is now sufficient.

In addition to the points mentioned, the 18th update clarifies existing requirements:

• For example, “storage and transport conditions” becomes “storage and/or transport conditions,” as transport conditions only need to be ensured for mobile care.

• A care contract in accordance with Section 72 of SGB XI can, provided it contains this information, replace both the qualification certificate of the specialist manager and their self-declaration regarding availability.

• New professional managers and employees in the stoma field have up to two years after starting their job to provide evidence of the required training for VB 29A.

We have already integrated the new or amended evidence into our evidence lists. These will be available on our homepage from June 1, 2025. As you already know from previous updates, we will only request the certificates from you as part of the monitoring or follow-up PQ. Until then, everything remains the same. If you have any questions about the 18th update, please contact our PQ team using the usual channels.