Taean County Successfully Establishes Home Medical Benefit Program

Receiving Care and Other Services While Living at Home

On the 2nd, a customized service is being provided at a medical aid recipient household in Taean-eup, Taean-gun, Chungnam. /Taean-gun

Taean County in South Chungcheong Province has been successfully implementing the "Home-Based Medical Benefit Service" since the second half of this year to help long-term hospitalized recipients of the National Basic Livelihood Security medical benefits return to their communities, receiving positive feedback from beneficiaries.

According to the county on the 3rd, the main focus of this project is to provide integrated customized services such as medical care, caregiving, meals, and transportation at home for medical benefit recipients who have been hospitalized for more than 31 days and are eligible for outpatient treatment after discharge.

The project began in July, and although there were initial difficulties in identifying eligible participants, the Ministry of Health and Welfare allowed the selection of beneficiaries who had been discharged for more than one month between March and October this year if support was deemed necessary. As a result, two households were identified in September, and full-scale service provision has begun.

Mr. Jeong, a resident of Wonbuk-myeon who received the service on the 2nd, said, "I am truly grateful that Taean County purchased tools for wallpaper replacement and replaced the wallpaper, LED lights, and drying racks for me. I am very satisfied to receive all the necessary services at home."

Ms. Park, a resident of Taean-eup, also shared, "They bought me an electric blanket and a vacuum cleaner so that I can live alone without inconvenience, and even installed a bidet to help with my medical condition. I am also deeply grateful for the detailed guidance from registering as a hearing-impaired person to purchasing a hearing aid, as my hearing is not good."

The home-based medical benefit service allows recipients who do not require long-term hospitalization to live at home and receive various caregiving services, which helps reduce medical expenses. It also provides the advantage of enabling a stable life after discharge through close cooperation with various welfare service agencies.

A county official stated, "Medical benefit recipients who have been hospitalized for more than 31 days and are eligible for outpatient treatment after discharge can receive various services such as simple home repairs, support for home appliances and daily necessities, as well as caregiving, meals, and transportation to hospitals."

The official added, "We are identifying eligible participants throughout the year, so we ask that any county residents or neighbors who qualify apply to the Welfare Promotion and Welfare Planning Team of the county."