The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on May 19 that it will begin accepting additional applications from local governments and medical institutions to participate in the "2025 Long-Term Care Home Medical Center Pilot Project" from May 20 to June 13. The ministry aims to expand participation opportunities, particularly in regions where home medical centers have not yet been established, and to build a community-based infrastructure linking healthcare and long-term care ahead of the "Integrated Care Support Act," which is scheduled to take effect next year.
The Long-Term Care Home Medical Center operates with a team consisting of a doctor, a nurse, and a social worker, who make regular home visits to long-term care beneficiaries to provide medical services and connect them with additional care and support services. This initiative is designed to enable seniors with mobility difficulties to receive necessary assistance at home without having to enter a care facility or hospital.
The pilot project, which was first launched in December 2022, has entered its third phase this year and is gradually expanding. The Ministry of Health and Welfare selected 28 centers in the first round, 95 in the second round, and, through the third round of recruitment earlier this year, selected 135 medical institutions across 91 cities, counties, and districts to provide services. An analysis of the project's effectiveness showed positive outcomes, including a reduction in the number of emergency room visits and hospital stays among participating beneficiaries.
In this additional recruitment, medical institutions located in cities, counties, and districts that have not yet participated will receive extra points to encourage their involvement. Eligible applicants include clinics, local medical centers, and public health centers, all of which must be able to operate a team consisting of a doctor, a nurse, and a social worker. They must also provide ongoing services, including at least one home visit consultation per month, at least two home nursing visits per month, and care coordination.
Starting this year, local medical centers will also be eligible for additional reimbursement for home visit consultations under the National Health Insurance. Previously, only long-term care insurance reimbursement was available, but now, as with clinics, home visit consultation fees will be included, reducing the financial burden. Thirteen local medical centers selected in the first round are currently designated as home medical centers and are providing services.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare will form a selection committee based on the submitted applications to choose the final participating institutions, taking into account operational plans, prior experience with the project, and regional balance. Institutions wishing to participate must sign a business agreement with their local government and submit their application electronically to the headquarters of the National Health Insurance Service.
Detailed information about the application process and forms can be found in the notices section of the Ministry of Health and Welfare's website. Lim Eulgi, Director of Elderly Policy at the Ministry, stated, "We hope that home medical centers will provide a foundation for seniors to manage their health and receive care stably at home," adding, "Through active participation from the local community, we will work to establish a comprehensive care system."
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