NHIS Accepting Applications for New Welfare Equipment Benefit Determination

Strengthening Benefit Choice for Recipients and Supporting Safe Home Living

The National Health Insurance Service announced on July 9 that it will accept new benefit determination applications to select welfare equipment items and products needed by long-term care recipients. The application period runs from July 27 to July 31.

Any manufacturer or importer wishing to newly register their products as welfare equipment benefit items may apply. Applicants must prove that, within the most recent year as of the start date of application, at least 200 units of the product have been applied for or that domestic sales performance (retail sales) has exceeded 50 million won.

However, for products designated as Age-Friendly Excellent Products by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, the requirement for sales performance may be replaced with proof of manufacturing or import performance of at least 200 units or more than 50 million won within the most recent year.

Companies wishing to apply for benefit determination must submit their application online through the Long-Term Care Insurance website during the application period, and then send the related documents by registered mail on a portable storage device (USB).

The National Health Insurance Service will conduct document and product reviews, expert consultations, and price negotiations to assess the appropriateness of the benefit for the submitted products. The final decision on benefit eligibility will be made through deliberations by the Welfare Equipment Benefit Evaluation Committee and the Long-Term Care Committee. Items and products determined to be eligible for benefits can be sold or rented through welfare equipment providers after the official announcement by the Minister of Health and Welfare.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.