迈向“十五五” 长护险将全面推开

Core Viewpoint - The long-term care insurance (LTCI) system in China will transition from pilot programs to nationwide implementation during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, aiming to cover the entire population and significantly enhance the quality of care for disabled individuals [1]. Group 1: Implementation and Coverage - The LTCI system has already covered approximately 300 million people and benefited over 3.3 million disabled individuals, with total fund expenditures exceeding 100 billion yuan [1]. - It is projected that once fully implemented, the LTCI system will inject over 100 billion yuan annually into the market [1]. - As of now, there are 12,000 designated service institutions for LTCI, which is ten times the number at the beginning of the pilot [3]. Group 2: Service Development and Quality - The LTCI system emphasizes service provision rather than direct cash benefits, which is expected to enhance the quality of care in the elderly care industry [4]. - The introduction of smart technologies, such as millimeter-wave radar for disability assessments, aims to improve the accuracy and efficiency of evaluations in the LTCI process [3]. Group 3: Workforce and Professionalization - The number of long-term care workers in the industry has increased from under 100 to 240, with a notable rise in younger professionals [5]. - The LTCI has led to the emergence of a new profession, the health care worker (long-term care worker), enhancing the professional recognition and standards within the industry [5]. Group 4: Economic Impact and Cost Savings - The LTCI system has begun to alleviate the burden on hospitals by redirecting some disabled individuals from hospital care to care institutions, thus improving hospital bed turnover rates and reducing overall medical expenses [7]. - In Zhejiang Province, the participation rate in LTCI is projected to reach 93% by 2025, indicating a significant uptake of the program [7].