Market coverage note: This article covers information from both Korea and the United States. Each item is labeled 🇰🇷 Korea or 🇺🇸 U.S. in the text to indicate which country it applies to.
When a parent begins to have difficulty getting around, families naturally start wondering, "What do we need to have on hand?" The list of necessary items — electric beds, wheelchairs, bedside commodes, fall-detection sensors — is not short, and the costs are not trivial. Yet there is one fact many families overlook: both Korea and the United States already have government programs in place that cover a significant portion of these assistive devices.
🇰🇷 Korea Korea's National Long-Term Care Insurance (노인장기요양보험) 'welfare equipment benefit' (복지용구 급여) program is available to seniors who have been assigned a long-term care grade (grades 1 through 5, as well as the cognitive support grade) and have been designated as home-based benefit recipients. In plain terms, any insured person living at home rather than residing in a care facility qualifies. Through this program, a total of 18 items are covered: 12 purchase items such as bedside commodes and canes, and 8 rental items such as electric beds and wheelchairs.
🇰🇷 Korea The benefit cap is 1,600,000 won per recipient per year (combining the amount covered by the National Health Insurance Service and the personal co-payment), and this limit resets each year. The personal co-payment rate is 15% for general recipients, 6–9% for those eligible for reduced rates, and 0% (free) for recipients of basic livelihood support. In 2026, the 'smart welfare equipment' (스마트 복지용구) category was expanded to begin including technology-integrated items such as fall-detection sensors and smart diapers within the benefit scope. One important point to note: any unused balance within the annual limit does not carry over — it expires. It is advisable to plan ahead and make use of needed items within the year.
🇰🇷 Korea The application process is relatively straightforward. After obtaining a Long-Term Care Recognition Certificate (장기요양인정서) and a Welfare Equipment Benefit Confirmation Certificate (복지용구 급여확인서) from the 국민건강보험공단 (National Health Insurance Service), you contact a welfare equipment provider (복지용구 사업소) designated by the Service. A staff member from the provider will visit the home to assess the senior's physical condition and the layout of the residence, then recommend suitable products. For rental items, delivery, installation, and instructions on use are all handled together. Seniors who do not have a long-term care grade can still purchase welfare equipment, but in that case no benefit applies and the full cost must be paid out of pocket.
🇺🇸 U.S. In the United States, Medicare Part B covers the cost of Durable Medical Equipment (DME). Representative covered items include wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, oxygen equipment, and CPAP devices. As of 2026, after the Part B deductible ($283) has been met, Medicare pays 80% of the Medicare-approved amount and the remaining 20% is the beneficiary's responsibility. If the beneficiary has Medigap supplemental insurance, some or all of that 20% may also be covered. Note that hearing aids, eyeglasses, and dental-related devices are generally not included in Medicare DME benefits.
🇺🇸 U.S. There is one important practical point to keep in mind. Medicare only covers equipment purchased or rented from suppliers enrolled in Medicare. Even if a piece of equipment is medically necessary, Medicare will not pay if the supplier is not enrolled. Additionally, a physician's prescription (order) is required in order to receive the equipment. Regarding Medicaid, according to an April 2026 report by MACPAC (Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission), all U.S. states and DC provide some assistive technology coverage through Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) programs; of the 263 programs reviewed, 228 covered at least one type of assistive technology.
Looking at the two countries' programs side by side, the core principles are the same: a physician's assessment and prescription, an enrolled supplier or designated provider, and a process to confirm eligibility in advance. Because each item has its own durability period and replacement criteria, we recommend periodically reviewing which items and limits apply to your situation, even if you are already receiving benefits. A senior's physical condition changes over time, and the devices needed will change along with it.
Sources: 국민건강보험공단 건강보험고령친화연구센터 (National Health Insurance Service, Health Insurance Center for Age-Friendly Research; welfare equipment item guide), 보건복지부 국립재활원 중앙보조기기센터 (Ministry of Health and Welfare, National Rehabilitation Center, Central Assistive Device Center; assistive device support programs for persons with disabilities and older adults), 찾기쉬운 생활법령정보 (Easy Law; insurance benefit coverage for assistive devices for persons with disabilities, as of June 2026), Brevy Care (Medicare DME 2026 guide), Medicare Resources (2026 Part B deductible and benefit criteria), MACPAC (State Medicaid Coverage of Assistive Technology for Adults Using HCBS, April 2026).
Note: This article was compiled by AI from the sources cited above. We strive for accuracy, but for decisions about your specific situation, please confirm the latest guidance from a professional or the relevant agency.