When an older parent begins to need help with bathing, eating, walking, using the bathroom, or remembering medication, many families in Korea initially try to manage the situation themselves.

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However, Korea has a public insurance system specifically designed for people who require ongoing assistance with daily life.

It is called Long-Term Care Insurance, or 노인장기요양보험 (Noin Janggi Yoyang Boheom) in Korean.

Korea’s Long-Term Care Insurance is a public social insurance program operated by the National Health Insurance Service, commonly called NHIS. It can help eligible people receive care at home, attend a day care center, use approved assistive equipment, or live in a long-term care facility.

The most important point is that this benefit is not automatically provided when someone turns 65.

The person must:

Apply to NHIS
Complete an official needs assessment
Receive a long-term care grade
Use services approved under the resulting care plan

NHIS defines the system as social insurance for people who have difficulty caring for themselves for more than six months because of aging or a geriatric disease. Its purpose is to support daily living while reducing the care burden placed entirely on families.

In simple terms:
National Health Insurance mainly pays for medical treatment.
Long-Term Care Insurance mainly supports everyday living.

This article provides an overview of the complete system. A separate detailed guide can explain the care-grade assessment and application documents in greater depth.

Related guide: Korea Long-Term Care Grades and Application Process

Quick Answer: What Does Long-Term Care Insurance Cover?

Long-Term Care Insurance helps pay for approved care services when a person cannot independently manage important daily activities.

Depending on the person’s care grade and approved benefit type, services may include:

Home visits by a care worker
Help with bathing, eating, dressing, and toileting
Home-visit bathing
Home nursing under a doctor’s instructions
Day-and-night care centers
Short-term respite care
Dementia-related supervision and cognitive activities
Approved wheelchairs, walkers, care beds, and safety equipment
Residential care in an approved nursing home
Limited special cash benefits in exceptional situations

The system does not simply reimburse any care chosen by the family. Services normally need to be provided by an approved long-term care institution and used within the beneficiary’s authorized care plan.

Important Terms for Foreign Residents

Term	Simple explanation
Long-Term Care Insurance	Public insurance that helps pay for ongoing personal care and daily-living support
Elderly care	Assistance with activities such as bathing, eating, dressing, walking, toileting, and supervision
NHIS	The National Health Insurance Service, which operates both National Health Insurance and Long-Term Care Insurance
Care services	Approved home visits, nursing visits, day care, respite care, equipment, or facility care
Care grade	The official level of care need assigned after an NHIS assessment
Home-based benefits	Care provided at home or through a day-and-night care center
Facility benefits	Residential care provided in an approved long-term care facility
Monthly benefit limit	The maximum amount of covered home-care services normally available each month
Copayment	The percentage of covered service costs paid by the beneficiary
Non-covered cost	A cost that is outside insurance coverage and must normally be paid in full

Is Long-Term Care Insurance the Same as National Health Insurance?

No.

Although NHIS operates both programs, their purposes are different.

National Health Insurance

Korea’s National Health Insurance primarily covers medical care, including:

Doctor consultations
Medical examinations
Surgery
Prescription medicine
Hospitalization
Rehabilitation treatment
Treatment of an illness or injury

Long-Term Care Insurance

Long-Term Care Insurance mainly covers ongoing assistance with everyday life, such as:

Bathing
Eating
Dressing
Toileting
Changing position in bed
Moving safely around the home
Dementia supervision
Household tasks directly related to the beneficiary
Daytime care
Long-term residential care

A useful way to remember the difference is:

Medical insurance treats the disease. Long-term care insurance supports the person’s daily life.

A person may use both systems.

For example, an older adult who experiences a stroke may receive surgery and rehabilitation through National Health Insurance. After leaving the hospital, the same person may receive home-visit care or nursing-home support through Long-Term Care Insurance.

The eligibility and payment rules for the two systems remain separate.

How Is the System Funded?

Korea’s Long-Term Care Insurance is funded through a combination of:

Long-term care insurance contributions
Government and local-government funding
Copayments paid by beneficiaries

People enrolled in National Health Insurance generally pay a separate long-term care insurance contribution together with their health insurance contribution. The two amounts are collected together but managed as separate insurance accounts.

For 2026, the long-term care insurance contribution is calculated using a rate equivalent to 13.14% of the person’s National Health Insurance contribution, although the actual amount varies according to the person’s health insurance bill. The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced a 2026 long-term care insurance rate of 0.9448% relative to income.

Paying the contribution does not automatically guarantee future services.

A person must still apply and receive an official care grade before using insurance-covered long-term care.

Who Can Apply?

The applicant must meet both an insurance-status requirement and an age-or-disease requirement.

People Aged 65 or Older

A person aged 65 or older may apply when physical or cognitive decline makes independent daily living difficult.

The person does not need to have one specific disease simply because they are over 65.

However, turning 65 only creates the basic right to apply. It does not guarantee approval.

NHIS evaluates how much help the person actually needs in ordinary daily life.

People Under Age 65

A person under 65 generally needs to have a disease classified by Korean regulations as a qualifying geriatric disease.

Examples may include:

Dementia
Alzheimer’s disease
Certain cerebrovascular diseases
Stroke-related conditions
Parkinson’s disease
Other designated degenerative neurological conditions

A chronic illness, physical disability, or serious injury does not automatically qualify someone under age 65. The diagnosis must fall within the applicable regulatory categories, and the person must still demonstrate a long-term need for care.

Age and Diagnosis Are Not the Only Factors

The assessment focuses on functional ability, not only the name of a disease.

For example:

A person may have dementia but remain relatively independent.
A person over 65 may have no single major diagnosis but still need significant help with bathing, eating, and walking.
Two people with the same diagnosis may receive different grades because their daily abilities are different.

Can Foreign Residents Receive Long-Term Care Benefits?

Foreign nationality alone does not prevent a person from applying.

However, the person receiving care must meet the relevant Korean insurance or Medical Aid requirements. A foreign parent does not automatically become eligible simply because an adult child lives or works in Korea.

Foreign families should confirm:

Whether the applicant is enrolled in the applicable Korean insurance system
Whether long-term care insurance contributions are being paid
Whether the applicant has ever been excluded from long-term care insurance
Whether the applicant meets the age or disease requirement
Which identification and immigration documents are required
Whether foreign medical records will be accepted

Some foreign employees may be permitted to apply for exclusion from Long-Term Care Insurance contributions under specific conditions. Anyone who has received an exclusion should ask NHIS whether they are eligible for benefits.

The current NHIS application guidance also states that foreign applicants cannot use the standard online application route. They may need to apply through an NHIS branch, by mail, or by fax.

A parent visiting Korea temporarily should not assume that short-term immigration status provides access to the system. Check the parent’s individual insurance and residency status with NHIS before making care plans.

How Does NHIS Assess Care Needs?

After receiving the application, an NHIS employee who has completed the required training normally visits the applicant.

The employee uses a standardized 90-item assessment form to examine the person’s health, function, care needs, and living environment.

The assessment includes areas such as:

Eating and drinking
Bathing
Dressing
Toileting
Changing position
Standing and walking
Memory and orientation
Dementia-related behavior
Nursing procedures
Rehabilitation needs
Vision and hearing
Current family support
Home environment
Use of assistive equipment

Of the 90 items, designated questions across major functional areas are used to calculate the official long-term care score. NHIS states that the assessment looks at recent daily functioning, including physical ability, cognitive symptoms, behavior changes, nursing needs, and rehabilitation needs.

A Practical Tip for the Home Visit

Families should describe the applicant’s usual condition, not only how the person appears during the short assessment.

Some older adults try to appear more independent when meeting an unfamiliar assessor.

Before the visit, write down recurring problems such as:

Falls or near-falls
Nighttime wandering
Incontinence
Forgetting medication
Leaving appliances turned on
Difficulty preparing meals
Needing support when standing
Unsafe behavior during bathing
Aggressive or confused behavior
Being unable to remain home alone
Needing help several times during the night

Concrete examples are more useful than simply saying, “My parent needs a lot of help.”

Long-Term Care Grades at a Glance

Korea currently uses Grades 1 through 5 and a Cognitive Support Grade.

Grade	General meaning	Official score
Grade 1	Almost completely dependent on another person for daily life	95 or higher
Grade 2	Needs substantial help with most daily activities	75 to under 95
Grade 3	Needs partial but significant daily assistance	60 to under 75
Grade 4	Has physical or cognitive limitations requiring partial assistance	51 to under 60
Grade 5	Has dementia and falls within the designated score range	45 to under 51
Cognitive Support Grade	Has dementia and requires cognitive support but scores below Grade 5	Below 45

The grade is determined by the official NHIS process, not by a family’s own calculation. The assessment score, doctor’s opinion, and review by the Long-Term Care Need Assessment Committee are considered together.

A higher care grade generally indicates a greater need for assistance, but the grade does not authorize every type of service.

The beneficiary’s documents also state:

The approved benefit category
The recognition period
Recommended services
The individual care plan
The monthly benefit limit

Who Can Use Facility Care?

Grades 1 and 2 can generally use either home-based or facility benefits.

Grades 3 through 5 normally use home-based benefits. They may use facility benefits when the assessment committee recognizes that residential care is necessary because, for example:

The family cannot provide care
The home environment is unsuitable
Dementia-related behavior makes home care impractical

The Cognitive Support Grade has more limited service options and does not automatically provide access to ordinary nursing-home benefits.

For grade-by-grade eligibility and assessment details: Korea Long-Term Care Grades and Application Process

What Services Are Covered?

Long-term care benefits are divided into three broad categories:

Home-based benefits
Facility-based benefits
Special cash benefits

1. Home-Visit Care

A trained care worker, called a 요양보호사 (yoyang bohosa), visits the beneficiary’s home.

Depending on the beneficiary’s condition and care plan, the worker may help with:

Washing and personal hygiene
Dressing
Eating
Toileting
Changing body position
Walking safely
Cognitive activities
Emotional support
Preparing the beneficiary’s meals
Cleaning or laundry directly related to the beneficiary

Home-visit care is not a general housekeeping service for the whole family.

Official service rules state that household assistance must be provided for the beneficiary rather than unrelated family members.

2. Home-Visit Bathing

A care team visits the home and helps the beneficiary bathe.

Specialized bathing equipment or a mobile bathing vehicle may be used depending on the provider.

This service can be useful when:

The person cannot safely enter the bathroom
The person is bedridden
One family caregiver cannot manage bathing safely
Two trained workers are required

3. Home-Visit Nursing

A nurse or qualified nursing assistant visits the home under a doctor’s instructions.

Services may include approved nursing procedures, health monitoring, and care consultation.

Home-visit nursing is not the same as hiring a private nurse without limits. It also does not replace emergency care, hospital treatment, or regular medical examinations.

4. Day-and-Night Care

The beneficiary attends a care center for part of the day.

Services may include:

Meals
Personal care
Exercise
Cognitive activities
Social programs
Dementia supervision
Rest
Transportation between home and the center

This option can allow an older adult to continue living at home while providing family caregivers with time to work, sleep, or manage other responsibilities.

5. Short-Term Respite Care

The beneficiary temporarily stays in a care facility when the usual caregiver cannot provide care.

This may be helpful when a family caregiver:

Is sick
Must travel
Needs a temporary break
Is recovering from exhaustion
Cannot provide care during a family emergency

The number of covered days and the applicable conditions may change, so families should check the current rules with NHIS.

6. Assistive Equipment

Long-Term Care Insurance may cover the rental or purchase of approved welfare equipment.

Examples may include:

Wheelchairs
Walkers
Adjustable care beds
Pressure-relief mattresses
Mobile toilets
Safety handrails
Anti-slip products
Bathing equipment

Only approved products and designated suppliers are covered.

Different items may have different rules for:

Purchase
Rental
Replacement
Repair
Annual limits
Medical or functional eligibility

Do not buy expensive equipment first and assume NHIS will reimburse it later. Confirm coverage before signing a purchase or rental contract.

7. Residential Facility Care

Eligible beneficiaries may live in an approved long-term care facility, including:

A nursing home
A smaller group-living home
A dementia-focused care unit

The facility may provide:

Accommodation
Meals
Personal care
Dementia supervision
Activities
Mobility support
Help with toileting and bathing
Basic health monitoring

The facility is responsible for long-term daily care, but it is not the same as a hospital.

8. Special Cash Benefits

Korea’s system includes limited special cash benefits, such as family-care allowances in legally defined circumstances.

However, these benefits are exceptional.

They are not a general monthly salary automatically paid to any spouse, son, or daughter who takes care of an older family member.

A special cash benefit may depend on factors such as:

Living in an area where services are difficult to access
The absence of an appropriate provider
A legally recognized exceptional circumstance
Specific family-care requirements

The current benefit amount and eligibility conditions should always be checked directly with NHIS.

Nursing Home or Long-Term Care Hospital?

This is one of the most important distinctions for families in Korea.

The Korean names are similar, but the institutions serve different purposes.

Nursing Home: 요양원

A 요양원 is a long-term care facility.

It mainly provides:

Personal care
Meals
Bathing assistance
Toileting assistance
Dementia supervision
Mobility support
Activities
Long-term residential support

Its costs are generally connected to Long-Term Care Insurance.

Long-Term Care Hospital: 요양병원

A 요양병원 is a medical institution.

It mainly provides:

Doctor consultations
Medical observation
Nursing
Medication management
Rehabilitation
Treatment for chronic conditions
Hospital-level medical care

Its costs are generally processed through National Health Insurance, not the ordinary facility-benefit section of Long-Term Care Insurance.

The Simple Difference

Facility	Main purpose	Main insurance system
Nursing home — 요양원	Assistance with daily living	Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-term care hospital — 요양병원	Medical treatment and nursing	National Health Insurance

A nursing home may have nurses and cooperating doctors, but it is not a hospital.

When choosing between the two, ask:

Does the person mainly need medical treatment, or do they mainly need help with daily life?

Some patients move between hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, home care, and nursing homes as their condition changes.

How to Apply: The 8-Step Overview

This article focuses on the overall system, so the application process is summarized below.

Step 1: Confirm Basic Eligibility

Check whether the person:

Has the required Korean insurance or Medical Aid status
Is aged 65 or older, or
Is under 65 with a qualifying geriatric disease
Has ongoing difficulty managing daily life

Foreign residents should confirm eligibility with NHIS before preparing the application.

Step 2: Submit the Application

The applicant or an authorized representative may apply.

Possible representatives include:

A family member
A relative
Another interested person
An authorized public official
A dementia support center representative in qualifying cases
Another officially designated person

Applications can generally be submitted by visiting an NHIS branch, by mail, or by fax.

Online application is limited, and NHIS currently states that foreign applicants cannot use the normal online route.

Step 3: Prepare Identification and Medical Information

Depending on the case, documents may include:

Long-Term Care Recognition Application
Applicant’s identification
Representative’s identification
Proof of family relationship
Authorization documents
Medical records
Medication information
Hospital discharge records
Doctor’s opinion form

Step 4: Submit the Doctor’s Opinion

A doctor’s opinion is an important part of the assessment.

Applicants aged 65 or older may sometimes submit it after the initial application but before the committee review deadline.

Applicants under 65 generally need medical evidence confirming a qualifying geriatric disease.

Follow NHIS instructions regarding the required form rather than submitting only a general medical certificate.

Step 5: Complete the NHIS Home Visit

An NHIS employee visits the applicant and completes the standardized assessment.

Family members should explain the person’s ordinary daily condition and the amount of help currently being provided.

Step 6: Wait for the Committee Decision

The Long-Term Care Need Assessment Committee reviews:

The assessment score
The doctor’s opinion
The applicant’s functional condition
Other relevant circumstances

The committee must generally complete the grade decision within 30 days from the application date. The period may be extended when additional detailed investigation is necessary or another unavoidable reason exists.

Step 7: Receive the Official Documents

An approved applicant normally receives:

A Long-Term Care Recognition Certificate
An individual long-term care use plan
The assigned grade
The recognition period
Approved benefit information
A monthly benefit limit

Step 8: Choose an Approved Provider

The beneficiary or family chooses a provider and signs a service contract.

Before signing, ask for a written explanation of:

Covered services
Service schedule
Copayment
Meal costs
Room charges
Transportation charges
Personal-item costs
Optional services
Cancellation rules
Emergency procedures

Detailed application guide: Korea Long-Term Care Grades and Application Process

How Much Does Long-Term Care Insurance Cost?

The beneficiary normally pays a percentage of the approved insurance-covered service cost.

The standard copayment rates are generally:

Benefit type	Standard beneficiary copayment
Home-based benefits	15%
Facility-based benefits	20%

Medical Aid recipients and certain lower-income beneficiaries may qualify for an exemption or reduced copayment.

Korean law allows eligible groups to receive substantial reductions, but the exact rate depends on the beneficiary’s officially registered status.

Simple Home-Care Example

Suppose the total approved home-care service cost is KRW 1,000,000.

With the standard 15% copayment:

Insurance-covered public portion: approximately KRW 850,000
Beneficiary’s copayment: approximately KRW 150,000

Simple Facility-Care Example

Suppose the covered portion of facility care is KRW 2,000,000.

With the standard 20% copayment:

Insurance-covered public portion: approximately KRW 1,600,000
Beneficiary’s copayment: approximately KRW 400,000

These are simplified examples.

The final amount may be higher because of non-covered costs.

How Large Is the Monthly Home-Care Limit?

Home-based services are generally used within a monthly limit based on the beneficiary’s grade.

For 2026, the standard limits are approximately:

KRW 2.51 million per month for Grade 1
KRW 2.33 million per month for Grade 2
KRW 1.53 million per month for Grade 3
KRW 1.41 million per month for Grade 4
KRW 1.21 million per month for Grade 5
KRW 676,000 per month for the Cognitive Support Grade

In other words, the ordinary 2026 home-care limits range from roughly KRW 0.68 million to KRW 2.51 million, depending on the grade.

These amounts represent the total approved service value, including both the NHIS-funded portion and the beneficiary’s copayment. They are not cash payments deposited into the family’s bank account.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare increased the 2026 monthly limits, with particularly large increases for Grades 1 and 2. Certain service patterns may also qualify for an additional limit.

Rates are normally adjusted each year. Confirm the exact amount printed on the beneficiary’s current care documents before calculating a monthly budget.

What Happens If the Monthly Limit Is Exceeded?

If the beneficiary uses covered home-care services beyond the applicable monthly limit, the excess amount generally becomes the beneficiary’s full responsibility.

For example, assume:

Monthly limit: KRW 1,500,000
Services used: KRW 1,700,000

The normal copayment applies within the KRW 1,500,000 limit.

The additional KRW 200,000 may need to be paid entirely by the beneficiary.

Families should therefore coordinate the monthly schedule with the care provider instead of selecting services independently without checking the remaining limit.

Costs That May Not Be Covered

A low copayment does not mean the beneficiary’s entire monthly bill will be low.

Common non-covered expenses may include:

Meal ingredients
Additional fees for a requested private or smaller room
Haircuts and beauty services
Personal hygiene products
Diapers or personal supplies, depending on the setting and charge
Optional programs
Services outside the approved care plan
Costs above the monthly benefit limit

When comparing providers, request four separate amounts:

Total insurance-covered service cost
Beneficiary’s copayment
Mandatory non-covered expenses
Optional expenses

Do not compare facilities using only the advertised copayment.

A facility with a low insurance copayment may still have substantial meal, room, and personal-item charges.

Common Misunderstandings

“Everyone over 65 automatically receives long-term care.”

No. A person over 65 may apply, but NHIS must determine that the person needs ongoing assistance.

“A dementia diagnosis guarantees a high grade.”

No. The person’s actual cognitive, behavioral, physical, nursing, and daily-living needs are assessed.

“Nursing homes become free after receiving a care grade.”

No. Beneficiaries normally pay a copayment and non-covered expenses.

“The monthly limit is money paid directly to the family.”

No. It is the maximum value of approved home-care services normally covered during the month.

“Any family caregiver can receive a monthly salary from NHIS.”

No. Family-care arrangements and special cash benefits are limited and subject to specific requirements.

“A nursing home provides the same medical treatment as a hospital.”

No. A nursing home focuses on daily care. A hospital provides medical diagnosis and treatment.

“Paying long-term care insurance contributions guarantees approval.”

No. Benefits require a separate application and needs assessment.

“The hospital automatically applies before discharge.”

Not necessarily. A hospital social worker may provide assistance, but the family should confirm whether the formal NHIS application has actually been submitted.

“A care grade never changes.”

No. Recognition has a validity period, and the grade may change when the person is reassessed or when their condition becomes better or worse.

When Should a Family Consider Applying?

Consider contacting NHIS when an older parent repeatedly has difficulty with:

Bathing
Toileting
Eating safely
Standing
Walking
Remembering medication
Preparing meals
Recognizing people or places
Remaining home alone
Avoiding falls
Managing dementia-related behavior
Sleeping safely at night
Returning home after hospitalization
Living without constant family supervision

Families should not wait until the main caregiver is completely exhausted.

The official decision may take several weeks, and finding a suitable provider or facility may take additional time.

Practical Preparation Checklist

Before applying:

Confirm the applicant’s NHIS and long-term care insurance status
Check the age requirement
Check whether an under-65 diagnosis is on the qualifying disease list
Choose the family member who will manage the process
Gather identification and relationship documents
Collect medical records and medication information
Write down daily care problems
Record falls, wandering, incontinence, and unsafe behavior
Describe the amount of help the family currently provides
Prepare for the NHIS home visit
Compare covered and non-covered provider costs
Read the recognition certificate carefully
Check the recognition expiration date
Prepare for renewal before benefits expire

NHIS Contact Information for Foreign Residents

NHIS provides foreign-language consultation in English, Chinese, Uzbek, and Vietnamese.

NHIS main number: 1577-1000
Foreign-language service: 1577-1000, extension 6
Foreign-language direct number: 033-811-2000
Calling from overseas: +82-33-811-2001
Consultation hours: Generally 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Language availability and holiday schedules may vary.

A useful Korean sentence is:

노인장기요양보험 신청에 대해 상담하고 싶습니다.
I would like to ask about applying for Long-Term Care Insurance.

You can also say:

외국인도 장기요양보험을 신청할 수 있는지 확인하고 싶습니다.
I would like to check whether a foreign resident can apply for Long-Term Care Insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Korea’s Long-Term Care Insurance private insurance?

No. It is a public social insurance program operated by NHIS.

A private insurance policy may provide additional payments, but it is separate from the public long-term care system.

Does every person aged 65 or older qualify?

No.

People aged 65 or older may apply, but approval depends on the amount of assistance they need with ordinary daily life.

Can someone under age 65 receive benefits?

Possibly.

A person under 65 generally needs a disease officially classified as a qualifying geriatric disease and must also demonstrate a long-term need for assistance.

Can foreign residents apply?

Possibly.

The person must meet the relevant Korean insurance, residency, age, disease, and functional requirements. Contact NHIS with the applicant’s individual immigration and insurance details.

Can my parent receive benefits while visiting Korea?

A temporary visitor should not assume eligibility.

The parent’s own Korean insurance and immigration status must be checked. An adult child’s enrollment does not automatically extend long-term care coverage to a visiting parent.

Can I submit the application for my parent?

Yes.

A family member or another authorized representative can generally apply, although identification, proof of relationship, or authorization documents may be required.

How long does the decision take?

The grade decision is generally required within 30 days from the application date.

The period may be extended when a detailed investigation or another unavoidable circumstance is involved.

How much does home care cost?

The standard beneficiary copayment is generally 15% of covered home-based services.

Reduced rates or exemptions may apply to eligible beneficiaries. Costs above the monthly limit and non-covered items must normally be paid separately.

How much does nursing-home care cost?

The standard beneficiary copayment for covered facility services is generally 20%.

Meals, upgraded rooms, personal items, and other non-covered expenses may be billed separately.

Does a care grade guarantee immediate nursing-home admission?

No.

Facility eligibility depends on the grade, approved benefit type, care plan, individual circumstances, and the availability of an appropriate facility.

Can the family receive the unused monthly benefit limit as cash?

No.

The monthly limit represents the value of approved services that can be used. Unused amounts are not normally paid to the family.

Can Long-Term Care Insurance pay a family caregiver?

Not automatically.

Special cash benefits and services provided by a family member who is also a qualified care worker are subject to specific conditions.

What happens if the application is denied?

The family can ask NHIS for an explanation and information about the applicable objection or appeal process.

A new application or grade-change request may also be possible if the applicant’s condition later worsens.

Final Thoughts

Korea’s Long-Term Care Insurance can be understood as a four-stage system:

Application → Assessment → Care Grade → Approved Services

The system does not decide eligibility based only on age, diagnosis, or family income.

It examines how much assistance the person needs with ordinary daily life and then connects the person to an approved range of services.

The most useful first step is not immediately choosing a nursing home.

Instead:

Confirm the parent’s insurance eligibility
Document their daily difficulties
Apply for an NHIS assessment
Review the assigned grade and care plan
Compare home care, day care, nursing support, and facility care
Calculate both covered and non-covered expenses

Starting the process before a family care crisis occurs gives everyone more time to compare providers and make a safer decision.

Official Sources Checked

National Health Insurance Service: Long-Term Care Insurance Introduction
National Health Insurance Service: Long-Term Care Grades and Benefits
National Health Insurance Service: Application and Assessment Procedures
National Health Insurance Service: Long-Term Care Service Standards and Monthly Limits
Ministry of Health and Welfare: 2026 Long-Term Care Insurance Rates and Benefit Changes
National Law Information Center: Long-Term Care Insurance Act and Copayment Rules
National Health Insurance Service: Foreign-Language Contact Information

Disclaimer

This article provides general information about Korea’s Long-Term Care Insurance system and is not legal, medical, insurance, or financial advice.

Eligibility, recognized diseases, care grades, monthly limits, service fees, copayment reductions, foreign-resident coverage, and application procedures may change.

Individual decisions depend on the applicant’s insurance status, residency status, age, diagnosis, functional ability, medical documents, home assessment, and NHIS review.

Before applying, signing a service contract, purchasing assistive equipment, or choosing a nursing home, confirm the latest requirements and costs directly with NHIS, the relevant local authority, a qualified medical professional, and the care provider.

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